Garner police investigate reports of fraudulent credit card activity

According to a search warrant released Wednesday, the items were delivered this month to 401 Kentucky Drive. The resident of the home, Gabriele Secrest, confirmed packages were delivered to her, however, she told police that she didn't know the items were bought with stolen credit cards.

Secrest said the packages were sent to her from Rick Manfred, who she said she met online through Yahoo! Messenger, according to the warrant.

The woman claimed that Manfred sent her address labels for the packages, which she would then reship to an orphanage in Africa.

Secrest consented to having her laptop examined by police. She also told officers that during the week of July 15, she received multiple packages from all over the United States. Police are going through customer receipts inside the packages to find out who purchased the items and if they were paid for fraudulently.

Police said they first began looking into the residence after a Saginaw, Mich., man reported fraudulent charges on his MasterCard from Payless and Hot Topic stores. After looking into the charges, the man said he learned the items were shipped to the Garner home.

Another case involved a woman from Rocky Mount who claimed her credit card was used for purchases she did not make. The items were also tracked to the Kentucky Drive residence, according to the warrant.

Secrest declined to comment Wednesday on the investigation.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. No charges have been filed.