Detective recognized for finding 27 victims of card fraud

A Columbus police detective has been recognized for tracking missing money from the account of a Hurricane Irma victim and filing fraud charges against a former bank employee.

Cpl. Crystal Hatcher of the Bureau of Investigative Services was selected the November Officer of the Month at the Columbus Police Department in a case that ended with 74 charges filed against a Wells Fargo employee. They included 16 counts of identity fraud, 12 counts of financial exploitation of the elderly and 46 counts of financial transaction card fraud charges against 40-year-old Jeremy Keith Pritchett. The loss from 27 victims totaled more than $24,000.

"Cpl. Hatcher went beyond the call of duty on this case," said her supervisor Sgt. Wendy Thornton. "Cpl Hatcher takes pride in her work and it shows through all her cases. She is a great asset to the Financial Crimes and Fraud Division and works well with everyone in the Investigation Division."

The case started with an elderly woman who was forced to leave Palmetto, Fla., and find shelter in Phenix City to escape Hurricane Irma. While in Columbus on Sept. 12, she stopped in the 101 13th St. bank to check on her account balance.

She only dealt with one cashier at the bank. A copy of her savings account showed that she was missing $1,600 and there were charges in Columbus.

During an investigation, Hatcher went to various businesses where her card was used but came up empty, because video records were lost. She did get a look at the employee who waited on the woman at the bank and allegedly used her credit card.

A further check was made to determine how many credit cards were ordered by the suspect while employed at the bank. Hatcher found 27 victims from Columbus and the surrounding areas.

In a statement, Wells Fargo has said the affected customers will not be held responsible for any unauthorized charges and will be reimbursed for any fraudulent activity committed to their Wells Fargo accounts. The company will continue to cooperate with Columbus police in the investigation.

Ben Wright: 706-571-8576, @bfwright87

This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Detective recognized for finding 27 victims of card fraud."