On the last day of January 2018, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a home in the Prescott Country Club, Dewey, regarding a theft report. The homeowners were out of town and returned to discover items had been stolen from inside their garage. The theft included an air compressor and a purse containing cash and credit cards.
The homeowners/victims readily admitted they routinely do not lock their garage or secure valuables when away.
Deputies learned that the couple had been notified their credit cards were used on January 12, 2018, at the Wal Mart in Prescott Valley. The victims were away at this time and the credit cards were used without their knowledge. Deputies contacted loss prevention officials at Wal-Mart and several weeks later were able to obtain video surveillance and receipts from the illegal transactions. The videos showed a male and female suspect purchasing a gaming system, printer and groceries during at least 2 transactions with the victim’s stolen cards. Based on the video evidence, deputies developed information identifying 44-year-old Stephen Dippe from Prescott as one of the suspects. Dippe had previously been arrested for theft and shoplifting at Wal Mart along with a female accomplice, 29-year-old Kareen Frederick from Prescott. Deputies determined Frederick was now a suspect in this current investigation. Neither victim recalled ever having contact with these suspects.
A records check of the suspects revealed that Frederick was currently incarcerated in the Camp Verde Detention Center. Deputies interviewed her and she admitted to using the stolen credit cards as indicated after being given the cards by a ‘friend.’ She claimed not to know where Dippe could be found and denied involvement in the burglary. In early March, Frederick was charged with 4 counts of fraud as a result of the investigation. She remains in-custody.
On March 26, 2018, deputies located Dippe in the City of Prescott and took him into custody. He was booked and charged with 2 counts of Credit Card Fraud, Attempted Credit Card Fraud and Fraudulent Schemes. He refused to discuss the case and is being held without bond.