Johnston Woman Charged In $50K T.J. Maxx Returns Fraud Scheme, Police Say

CHELMSFORD, MA — A man and woman repeatedly ripped off a Chelmsford TJ Maxx throughout the spring and summer, taking the discount department store for nearly $50,000 with fraudulent receipts, police said.

John Grogan, 54, and Dara Iantuono, 44, were arrested last week in connection with the caper, police said.

Grogan, a resident of Brockton, Massachusetts, was charged with larceny over $1,200 by false pretenses, and Iantuono, of Johnston, was charged with organized retail crime and accessory before the fact of larceny over $1,200.

In early June, Officer Michael Buxton was assigned to investigate a pattern of fraudulent returns made at the 288 Chelmsford St. TJ Maxx, according to the Chelmsford Police Department.

"Throughout the months of April, May, June and July, two individuals made repeated fraudulent transactions at the store using fraudulent receipts," police said in a media release. "The individuals involved in the scheme received over $46,000 in returns as a result."

Buxton, with the assistance of the TJ Maxx company, identified Grogan and Iantuono as suspects in the scheme, police said.

Then, on July 10, "Buxton was on regular patrol when he was notified that an individual matching Grogan's description was at the store and attempting to make a return," police said.

"Grogan was located in the store's parking lot, with a fraudulent receipt for a $2,508 transaction," according to police. "Iantuono was located in a vehicle nearby, and she attempted to drive away before a Chelmsford Police Officer stopped her vehicle and took her into custody nearby."

Grogan and Iantuono were arraigned in Lowell District Court on Friday.

"They were both released on personal recognizance bail, and ordered to stay away from TJ Maxx," police said.