WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — Two people have been arrested in connection with a months-long mail theft and check fraud scheme that targeted residents across Wake County, according to sheriff’s deputies.
The investigation began in September in northern Wake County after a woman reported that two checks she had mailed were altered and later deposited into an unknown bank account. Deputies said a similar report surfaced two months later when another victim discovered funds from a mailed check had been redirected to an unfamiliar account.
In December, the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office alerted Wake County investigators after locating checks belonging to a Wake County resident during the execution of a search warrant. That discovery helped connect multiple cases and advance the investigation.
Authorities identified 23-year-old Deniya Dickens and 21-year-old Tahagi Brown as suspects. Both were arrested, and investigators later linked the pair to two additional victims.
Dickens faces multiple charges, including 12 counts of felony larceny of a chose in action, two counts of forgery of an instrument, two counts of uttering a forged instrument, one count of attempting to obtain property by false pretenses, and one count of felony conspiracy. Brown is charged with one count of felony conspiracy.
Sheriff Willie Rowe praised investigators for their efforts, noting that fraud-related crimes can cause lasting financial and emotional harm. He encouraged residents to report any suspicious activity promptly.
Deputies said the investigation remains ongoing, and no further details were released.
