In July 2013 Detectives from the Western District Detective Unit investigated two separate distraction thefts/credit card fraud cases. The suspects, a white female and black male would target female shoppers at local grocery stores and distract them while stealing their wallets. The suspects would then use the victim’s credit cards at various retail establishments to make fraudulent purchases.
The suspect’s photographs were disseminated to the media and throughout the region to identify the suspects.
With the assistance of the Montgomery County Police Department the suspects were identified as Karen Steelman and Kenneth Harris.
Detectives from Anne Arundel County assisted Montgomery County with a search warrant on the suspects residence located at 9005 Cheval Lane, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Over $50,000 of merchandise that was purchased using stolen credit cards was recovered from the residence. In addition, numerous victim’s credit cards, identification, and two hand guns were also recovered.
Detectives were able to link Karen Steelman to a total of six cases in Anne Arundel County dating back to February 2012. In all of these cases the victim’s wallets were stolen and their credit cards were fraudulently used to make thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases.
Detectives also learned that Karen Steelman and Kenneth Harris are suspects in similar distraction thefts/credit card fraud cases in Washington, DC, Arlington, Virginia and Gastonia, North Carolina.
Both suspects have been charged with numerous theft and credit card fraud offenses and are pending charges in several other jurisdictions.
Suspect Information:
Karen Steelman, 52 y/o, 9005 Cheval lane, Upper Marlboro, MD
Kenneth Harris, 53 y/o, 9005 Cheval lane, Upper Marlboro, MD
