Not So Gift Like: Trio Charged in Gift Card Scheme in Rutherford County

Jul 17, 2013 at 02:55 pm by bryan


The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has charged three individuals for running a gift card scheme after they were indicted by the Rutherford County grand jury earlier this month. The investigation into the theft operation is continuing.

Robert Butler, 31, and Donyale Blackwell, 26, of Hermitage, were both charged with one count of theft over $1,000. Cedric Hayes, 22, of Hermitage, was indicted on one count of theft over $500. The three individuals entered the Walmart in Smyrna, removed a child’s car sear from its box, loaded the box with other merchandise and paid for it as if the box contained the car seat. They later returned the merchandise to other area Walmart stores, obtained gift cards for the items and bought pre-paid credit cards with the gift cards. The investigation into the scheme is continuing with search warrants executed last week on two residences, one in Hermitage and one in Madison as well as three vehicles to obtain credit cards, gift cards, retail merchandise, and records of refunds as evidence in the ongoing case.

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Butler is currently serving time in the Davidson County Jail on drug and theft charges and will be transferred to the Rutherford County Jail when released. Blackwell and Hayes were booked into the Rutherford County Jail.

Source: 

Kristin Helm, TBI Spokesperson

 

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