Police investigate fraud case in which someone used a stolen credit card at three stores

WEST WHITELAND » Police are investigating a fraud committed by two people who may have broken into a vehicle to steal a credit card.

The West Whiteland Township Police Department is investigating a fraud that occurred on June 25. A Chester County resident reported that his credit card was used to make purchases at the Walmart, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target stores in Exton. Police said that surveillance video was obtained and it showed an African-America female allegedly using the stolen credit card. She entered a silver SUV being operated by a second person. Police said the vehicle is believed to be a newer Buick Encore, with what appears to be a Pennsylvania registration plate, but the letters and numbers are not clear enough for identification.

The victim later reported he believed his credit card had been stolen from his car while he was parked at Kardon Park in Downingtown. He said he observed a silver SUV in the area at the time and later discovered a pry mark on his door frame. He told police he observed an African-American female in the passenger seat and another person in the driver’s seat.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Det. Scott Pezick at 610-363-0200 or spezick@ westwhiteland.org.

The following are from police reports:

DUI

Downingtown police said Joshua Peyton Cannon, 37, of Thorndale, was driving a vehicle in the 400 block of West Church Street just before midnight on June 27 when he was involved in an accident with a parked, unoccupied vehicle. Police said Cannon was unsteady, had glassy eyes and an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his person. Cannon reportedly failed a field sobriety test and taken into custody for allegedly driving under the influence.

False alarm to agencies of Public Safety

West Whiteland police said Clare Schumacher, 57, of West Chester, was charged with false alarm to agencies of public safety, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. The charges were filed after officers responded to a residence in the 1400 block of Aspen Court for a report of a female attempting to burn down a house on April 16. Officers made contact with Schumacher who reportedly made the 911 call. Police said Schumacher was allegedly intoxicated and there was no credibility to her claim on an attempted arson. Schumacher reportedly called 911 12 more times after officers left the residence. She was charged by criminal summons.

Retail theft

West Whiteland police said Lisa Depte, 47, of Coatesville, was charged with retail theft, receiving

stolen property and drug offenses on April 14 after officers responded to the Target store for an alleged theft. A patrol officer initiated a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle and made contact with Depte. Police said alleged narcotics and drug paraphernalia were recovered

during her arrest. She was arraigned by Judge John Bailey and is in Chester County Prison after failing to post her $5,000 cash bail.

West Whiteland police said Aashni, Sharma, 20, of Downingtown, was charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property on April

15 after an officer responded to the Boscov’s store for an alleged $158 theft. Sharma was released on a criminal summons. Sharma was also charged with an alleged $124 theft at the same store on April 13. She was issued a non-traffic citation for the earlier offense.