Chandler police are seeking the public's help in locating six men officers say committed jewelry fraud over a two-year period throughout the southwestern United States, scamming a number of people in Chandler and the Valley.
Although two men have been charged in a scam that netted about $500,000 in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, all six men remain on the loose. Police also are asking scrap gold buyers or licensed dealers to be aware of purchasing fake white gold jewelry marked as 14 karat, 18 karat or .750 that really are made of stainless steel.
Police have identified Edward Brueggemeyer, 46, as the ring leader of the group which polishes and stamps the stainless steel jewelry. When the jewelry is weighed, acid tested and magnetically tested, it displays similar consistencies as white gold.
Brueggemeyer was a pawn shop owner in Texas, where it is believed he could be now. Other outstanding suspects in the scam that began in October 2009 and lasted until February 2011, are: Daniel Marquez, 20; Robert Polmanteer, 40; Levi Sifuentes, 21; James Whalen, 44; and Steven White, 49.
Police say the men were able to defraud buyers such as other pawn shop owners by selling them the jewelry. The pawn shop owners then were required to hold the jewelry pieces for 90 days before they could have them refined, at which time the store owners discovered the jewelry was stainless steel.
If anyone has any information about any of these men facing 38 counts of forgery and fraudulent schemes, or if they recently purchased white gold jewelry they believe to be fake, call Chandler police at (480) 782-4130.
erica3575 posted at 8:28 am on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
I am his fiance, I am very angry and sad at the same time over everything taking place with this situation. The state of Arizona is accussing Blake of so much things they think he has done. They tried convicting him back in 2009 but with the help of a very powerfull attorney JOHN MOMMITT they managed to see the wrong in Arizona and gave Blake DISORDERLY CONDUCT! of course AZ has a bone to pick with my Fiance so here they are advertising how they need the publics help in locating him.. Im posting this cuz I want to clarify some accusations that were made against him like (1) He was never a pawn shop owner.. (2) Blake is a recovering addict so for them to say he supposibly made the money to support a drug habit is a LIE.. (3) Blake is the mastermind of what? The allegations are purposterous and simply that ALLEGATIONS blake is a hard working man who doesnt deserve to be where hes at now.. but he volunteerily turned himself in April 7,2012 in Grand Prairie Texas (where we reside) after finding out the Feds came looking for him asking his whereabouts.He is currently being held in Arizona County Jail awaiting trial which begins Feb.25,2012.. hes being charged with 15 counts fraudelent schemes, 15 counts of forgery,illegal control of enterprise (organized crime) and they are trying to hang him by adding on there ALLEGATIONS OF AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES OTHER THAN PRIORS.. I just wanna say thanks to the articles I read supporting him and the ones who spoke bad of him u should know the facts before u spit on him cuz he is trying to be charged for things he has not done and the system is so unfair its pathetic but hopefully with the grace of god the jury will see thata the STATE of ARIZONA needs to stop wasting tax payers dollars and leave Blake and other people like him alone and go after real criminals who need to be put away... just wanted to speak my mind whether im heard or not it doesnt matter at least I spoke it!!!!! I LOVE U BLAKE BRUEGGEMEYER AND I AM PRAYING FOR YOU BABY!
erica3575 posted at 8:30 am on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
[smile]
erica3575 posted at 8:30 am on Sun, Aug 12, 2012.
[smile]