Five arrested in organized theft ring in Ft. Bend Co.

HOUSTON Detectives say the five suspects created forged checks by use of various compromised checking account numbers and personal identifying information followed by purchasing high-end merchandise at numerous stores such as Target, Macy's and Dillard's.

Leeandre Aaron Brewer, 24, of Houston, has been arrested and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity for his role as the ringer leader. Brewer would produce checks using bank account information and personal identifying information obtained by a collaborator, Jessie Lamon Rose, 30, of Garland, Texas. At the time, Rose was employed as a manager with Southwest Corporate Federal Credit Union in Plano, Texas, a clearinghouse for numerous credit unions throughout the state.

Brewer and three other suspects identified as Frederick Lee Herford, 37, Dallas Christopher Toussaint, 27, and Brandon William Stowe, 24, all of Houston, would travel out of state and purchase high-dollar merchandise including clothing and electronics by use of the fraudulent checks. They would then ship the merchandise back to Houston and later return the items for a cash refund.

Detectives identified 62 victims who bank with various credit unions throughout the state and believe the financial losses will exceed $100,000.

Rose, Toussaint and Stowe have also been arrested and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.