The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department is searching for two suspects who have six warrants out for their arrest after allegedly being involved in vehicle burglary and credit card fraud purchases in Walmart stores across multiple states, including the location in Picayune, Investigator A.J. Gambino said.
The investigation started May 16, with a report of the vehicle burglary involving the theft of a credit card owned by a Kiln resident in the Ridgewood subdivision. Gambino said the car was apparently unlocked at the time due to a lack of signs of forced entry. The victim later received emails from her credit card company notifying her of possible fraudulent activity, Gambino said.
“The emails indicated that several purchases were made at Walmarts in Waveland and Picayune,” Gambino said. “There was also a firearm taken from the victim’s car.”
Investigators then went to the Picayune Walmart and, after talking with the loss prevention team, discovered that the victim’s credit card was used to purchase multiple gift cards at about 4 a.m.
Surveillance footage captured what appeared to be a black female who made those purcahses entering and leaving the store, Gambino said. Investigators were later advised by Waveland officers that a similar case occurred at the Waveland Walmart. The investigation shows a second credit card theft occurred from another unlocked vehicle. Emails were sent to the second victim concerning possible fraudulent activity on the account, Gambino said. Investigators determined the card was also used in Walmart.
After talking with officials at the Picayune Walmart, surveillance video showed what appears to be a man dressed as a woman, wearing a wig and carrying a pink purse. One of the suspects, later identified as 25-year-old Mykiea Miller of Mobile, is described as being approximately 5-foot-6 and weighing 142 pounds.
After Miller and his accomplice stole the credit cards and purchased gift cards, investigators discovered they attempted to close out layaways for jewelry previously established at a Walmart. The suspects are alleged to have used the gift cards to pay off the layaways. Then, after receiving the jewelry, the suspect went to Walmart stores in Pass Christian and Lafayette, in an effort to exchange them for cash, Gambino said.
Only one of the two suspects has been identified. Both are at large and believed to be traveling in a silver vehicle. Gambino said Miller is suspected to be located in Mobile. Both suspects are wanted for the offenses of burglary and credit card fraud.