Edina Store Targeted by Alleged Fraudsters

Edina's —along with 11 other Twin Cities Target locations—fell victim to a check fraud scheme that cost the company more than $12,000 total, according to a release from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Three people were indicted last week in federal court for allegedly using counterfeit checks at Target stores to purchase gift cards and merchandise. Ci’Preaunni Ja’Von Stewart, 21, and Ryan Lamarr Chambers were charged with 19 counts of bank fraud in one indictment. Jamee Leah Spillman, 38, was charged with 15 counts of bank fraud in a separate, but related indictment.

The indictments claim the three purchased merchandise at the Target stores by passing fraudulent checks. By claiming they were using traveler's checks, the U.S. Attorney's Office says the trio caused their counterfeit nature to go undetected for several days. 

The Target stores impacted include those in Buffalo, Burnsville, Cottage Grove, Edina, Medina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Oakdale, St. Cloud, Vadnais Heights and Woodbury.

The defendants allegedly made purchases totaling more than $12,375. If convicted, each faces a potential maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on each count.