Fayetteville police bust suspected ID theft ring

Richard McLean, 36, Michelle McLean, 41, Patricia Shears, also known as Patricia Dixon, 61, and Kymeya Jones, 20, all of 6542 Amanda Circle, China Haywood, 30, of 2196 Delta Drive, and Brenda Star Cole, 56, of 6010 Dahlgren Ave., have been arrested. A seventh suspect, Wendy Robinson, 35, of 319 Pitts St. in Laurinburg, wasn't in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.

The seven people face a total of 69 counts of identity theft, obtaining property by false pretense, conspiracy, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and maintaining a dwelling for the use, storage or sale of controlled substances.

The suspects engaged in identity theft and fraud at Lowe’s home improvement stores in Fayetteville, Pittsboro, Sanford, Lumberton, Rockingham, Laurinburg, Dale City, Va., Staten Island, N.Y., Lilburn, Ga., and Opelika, Ala., police said.

Investigators determined that they received more than $51,000 in property as a result of fraud, and police recovered more than $11,500 of the property during a search of 6542 Amanda Circle.

Police also are searching for a person of interest to question in the case: Lashondra Montrelle McCrimmon, 31, of 319 Pitts St. in Laurinburg.

Anybody with information on the whereabouts of McCrimmon or Robinson is asked to call the Fayetteville Police Department at 910-433-1529 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).