Full Notification

On Monday, May 15, 2017 Hope Mills Police Detectives were contacted by the Winston Salem NC Police Department who informed our Detectives that they were in contact with an individual who was reporting that their personal information had been stolen and used to set up a fraudulent credit account with Lowes. Winston Salem PD also informed our Detectives that the identity theft victim reported to them that $7,683.00 had been charged to the fraudulent account. After speaking with Winston Salem Police Department, Hope Mills Police Detectives initiated an investigation into the incident. During the course of their investigation, Detectives found that Christopher Michael Shepard, 40 of the 100 block of Cooper Street, Fayetteville, Michael Raven Spruill, 39 of the 1400 block of Briarcliff Drive, Fayetteville and Barry Jerome Phoenix, 46 of the 200 block of Louisiana Drive, Raeford NC were responsible for the theft of the victim’s personal information. Detectives also found that the above individuals purchased appliances and a riding lawnmower at Lowes on North Main Street on the fraudulently opened credit account.

On Monday, June 16, 2017, Hope Mills Police Detectives arrested Spruill and Shepard with the assistance of the Fayetteville Police Department. Phoenix was arrested by Hope Mills Police Detectives at the Hope Mills Police Department on Monday, June 26, 2017. All subjects were transported to the Cumberland County Detention Center where they were jailed for the following charges:

Christopher Michael Shepard $15,000.00 bond

1 Count of Felony Identity Theft
2 Counts of Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense
1 Count of Felony Conspiracy

Michael Raven Spruill $10,000.00 bond

1 Count of Felony Identity Theft
1 Count of Felony Obtaining Property by False Pretense
1 Count of Felony Conspiracy

Barry Jerome Phoenix $20,000.00 bond

1 Count of Felony Identity Theft
1 Count of Obtaining Property by False Pretense
1 Count of Felony Conspiracy

This investigation is ongoing as Detectives have learned there are other victims and other individuals involved with this crime and, more arrests are forthcoming. If you have information regarding this crime or are a possible victim of the above individuals please contact Sgt. M. Jean or, Detective J. Hamilton at 910-425-4103.