POLICE BLOTTER: Men arrested in Destin Target

Two Chicago men believed to be part of a large-scale theft ring are in custody after an arrest August 25th by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in Destin. Eighteen-year old Kristopher Charles Leake and 25-year old Edmond Brandon Frazier are charged with retail grand theft and fraud.

Deputies were called to the Destin Target in reference to suspicious activity. A regional fraud investigator for Target Corporation said the two men spotted at the store were believed to be part of a theft return ring involved in altering or modifying receipts.

The thieves have devised a way to defraud businesses by returning items for cash by using altered and inaccurate receipts. Investigators believe Leake and Frazier are part of a large, organized ring that has accounted for an estimated $100,000 worth of fraudulent activity. An active investigation is underway in this multi-jurisdictional case. A search of the white Nissan Altima driven by the suspects turned up wireless baby monitors, bluetooth equipment, numerous Target bags, receipts, and other items.