Duluth Man Charged With Stealing $100K

DULUTH, GA — The public's help is being sought in finding a Duluth man accused of identity fraud and more than $100,000 in financial thefts.

The Gwinnett County Police Department said Monday a patrol officer was conducting a traffic stop on June 29, when the man was initially arrested. The man was accused of driving while on his cell phone.

During the traffic stop, police said the officer saw multiple credit cards with various names that did not match the man's identity. Police said multiple deposit receipts and images of checks were also found.

The man was identified by police as Charles Clay, 22. Clay was initially charged on suspicion of driving without a valid license, failure to exercise due care (Georgia hand-free law), seat belt violation and financial transaction card theft.

He was taken to the Gwinnett County Jail, where he bonded out and was released, police said. Detectives continued investigating Clay, pulling bank records and surveillance video, police said.

Following the investigation, Clay was additionally charged on suspicion of three counts of financial transaction card fraud, three counts of third-degree forgery and three counts of identity fraud, police said.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating Clay. Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call detectives, (770) 513-5300. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers Atlanta, (404) 577-8477, or visit its website.