DESTIN, Fla., Sept. 4, 2024—Quick actions by deputies with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrests yesterday of two New York residents believed to be part of a nationwide scheme involving stolen and fraudulent returns at businesses.

Following a traffic stop in Destin around 2:30 p.m., OCSO deputies recovered thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry, clothing and high-end electronics, as well as tens of thousands of dollars in cash from inside the pair’s vehicle.

At this time, 22-year-old German national Mercedes Enskat of New York is charged with possession of a forged or stolen identification.

The 27-year-old John Doe suspect, also of New York, is charged with using a false ID and giving false identification to a law enforcement officer.

The incident started when the man and woman entered the Walmart in Destin and returned an iPad and other items for cash. An investigation determined the iPad had been stolen from a Miami Walmart.

A second return was attempted, but refused after Loss Prevention identified them as being part of a suspected fraud ring.

Deputies spotted the pair leaving in their 2016 Dodge Durango and made a traffic stop in the Destin Hooters parking lot. Upon request for identification, Enskat gave the deputy her German passport and the unidentified man gave the deputy an Italian driver’s license.

An OCSO corporal asked for consent to the search the vehicle for stolen items and was given permission. They found a bag with more than $50,000 cash and a fraudulent Italian passport with the name Angelo Enzo with a passport number belonging to an Italian female for the John Doe male suspect, according to the arrest report.

Another bag had nearly $5,000 cash, jewelry, clothing and electronics. Deputies also found a fraudulent Georgia driver’s license with the name Elena Niamh for the woman. Enskat said the photo was her, but the information must have been a mistake, according to the report.

After being read their rights, the male suspect claimed the money came from selling cars, although he didn’t have any receipts for the sales nor did he pay taxes on the sales.

The two individuals are being held at the Okaloosa County Jail and remain on hold for immigration.

The investigation is ongoing.

Staff and OCSO news release