Two male subjects were arrested by Centre Police Investigators after it was discovered that the pair were using fraudulent/stolen credit card information to purchase zero turn lawn mowers from two separate businesses in Centre on Monday.
Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship said that Investigator Will Clark was contacted by a local dealership concerning a transaction – a short time later, Clark received another call from a second business about a fraudulent purchase. Investigator Clark and Chief Investigator Randy Mayorga received information that two of the mowers had been dropped off at a location in East Centre.
Further investigation revealed that one of the individuals involved in the thefts lived at a residence on College Street in Centre where additional mowers were located.
After speaking with the individuals, Mayorga was able to locate several ‘homemade’ credit cards used in the transactions. It was also discovered that several lawnmowers had been purchased and sold on other states.
20-year-old Andre William Hush of Centre was arrested and charged with two counts of Theft by Deception 1st Degree. Jaylin Davion Arnold, age 21 of Louisville, Kentucky was also charged with two counts of Theft by Deception in the 1st Degree.
Arnold is being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center without bond, Hush was released a short time later after posting bonds totaling $10,000.
Mayorga said that additional charges and arrests are expected to be made as the investigation continues.