A traffic stop in Gwinnett County turned up stolen tax refund checks late Monday night. Now, the Secret Service, U.S. Postal Service and local police are investigating how the duo in the car ended up with the checks.
The driver, Jimmy Rush, and passenger, Porchia Shenek Rumph, were arrested along I-85 in Buford and now face dozens of forgery charges, according to Gwinnett County Jail records. The two were being held without bond Tuesday night and are expected to make their first court appearances Wednesday.
One of the nearly 40 alleged victims, Melvin McIntosh, learned his refund was among those found in the car when contacted by a Channel 2 Action News reporter. McIntosh, of Stone Mountain, believed his check was late before learning it may have been stolen.
"As far as I'm concerned, he should never see daylight," McIntosh told Channel 2 about the alleged thief. "If they need to steal, they ought to be in jail, period."
Checks belonging to victims around the metro Atlanta area were also recovered, according to arrest warrants obtained by Channel 2. The U.S. Postal Service is investigating whether the two are postal employees.
In addition to forgery charges, Rush, of Decatur, also was charged with giving a false name and driving on a suspended license, jail records show. Both Rush and Rumph, of Conyers, were charged with possessing marijuana, according to jail records.
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