Two people were arrested in Charles City County after deputies discovered gold coins and a gold bar in a vehicle reported stolen from New York. The car was identified via a Flock Safety alert and stopped near Courthouse Road and Lott Cary Road. Investigators, with HSI Norfolk and local special investigations, traced a potential victim to James City County who reported making multiple payments to the suspects. Authorities charged the pair with connection to the stolen vehicle and larceny by trick; nearly $2 million is expected to be returned as the multi-state probe continues.
Two Arrested After Gold Coins and Bar Found in Stolen Car; Nearly $2M Linked to Fraud Probe
Two people were arrested in Charles City County after deputies found a box containing several gold coins and a single gold bar inside a vehicle reported stolen from New York, officials said.
What Happened
Deputies identified the stolen vehicle Sunday using a Flock Safety alert and stopped it near the intersection of Courthouse Road and Lott Cary Road. The vehicle's occupants were detained at the scene.
Credit: Charles City County Sheriff's Office
Search and Evidence
During an inventory search of the car, deputies discovered a box in the rear seat area that contained multiple gold coins and one gold bar. The items were seized as evidence.
Investigation and Charges
With assistance from the Charles City County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Section and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Norfolk, investigators used open-source techniques to trace a potential victim to James City County. The James City County Police Department contacted that person, who said he had made multiple payments to the suspects. JCCPD detectives then interviewed both individuals at the Charles City County Sheriff’s Office.
Credit: Charles City County Sheriff's Office
The Charles City County Sheriff’s Office charged the two individuals in connection with the stolen vehicle and with larceny by trick. Both were booked into Riverside Regional Jail.
Scope and Recovery
Officials say the suspected fraud activity may span six states — Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and New York — and that nearly $2 million is expected to be returned to the identified victim in James City County. Chief Deputy Kenton Givens described the case as an ongoing multi-agency, multi-state investigation.
Credit: Charles City County Sheriff's Office
Chief Deputy Kenton Givens: "This investigation remains active as our agencies work to recover assets and identify additional victims."
Authorities continue to investigate. Riverside Regional Jail holds the arrested individuals pending further legal proceedings.
Credit: Charles City County Sheriff’s Office. This is an ongoing investigation.
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