DeBary, FL – Update: The woman previously caught on camera and charged for breaking into and burglarizing vehicles at Gemini Springs State Park in DeBary has been arrested again and 30 wigs were found in her hotel room, believed to have been used to impersonate her victims of identity fraud and theft.
On Thursday, 31-year-old Orlando woman Dianne Garrett was arrested on International Drive in Orlando by the Orange County Sherrif’s Office.
After her arrest, detectives used a warrant to search a hotel room in Orlando where they found 30 different wigs, including the ones she was wearing when she was caught on camera, and 10 expensive purses with wallets and IDs inside. Over 20 additional IDs, checkbooks, and multiple bank receipts were also found. Many of the stolen items are believed to have been stolen in Orange County.
(Images of evidence courtesy Volusia County Sheriff's Office)
Police also have additional video of Garrett cashing stolen checks wearing a blonde wig at banks in South Lakeland and Auburndale. Garrett is being charged with two more counts of identity fraud. These counts are believed to be connected to two more car break-ins in Gemini Springs State Park on March 23. More charges could be brought against Garrett as the investigation is ongoing. Garrett’s bond for these new charges is $10,000, but she is being held at the Orange County Jail without bond for violating probation. Earlier Reporting: The woman caught on camera making fraudulent bank transactions using property stolen out of Gemini Springs Park in DeBary is in custody and now the Volusia County Sheriff's Office is looking for her accomplices. The woman caught by surveillance cameras was identified as Dianne Garrett, 31, of Orlando, and she was positively linked to 2 vehicle break-ins on March 18 at Gemini Springs Park. Investigators believe she's responsible for other break-ins as well. She's also accused of cashing several checks stolen from one of the victims and trying to impersonate the victim at a bank by using stolen ID cards. Detectives got an arrest warrant on Friday charging Garrett with 3 counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information and 1 count of uttering a forgery. She was arrested on Saturday night in Broward County and she's being held on $20,000 bond. Detectives still aren't sure if Garret's the one who actually broke into the vehicles and they think she was working with others. They believe that group is responsible for other crimes in the area. The investigation's ongoing and additional charges are pending against Garret, who has priors related to fraud in Florida, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Original Reporting: The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is investigating a rash of vehicle break-ins at Gemini Springs Park in DeBary, and now they're asking for the public's help as they try to identify the suspect. VCSO got a big break in the case when they found a picture of the suspect. Now they need the public's help as they try to identify the woman, who's been cashing checks stolen from her victims. According to VCSO, 4 vehicles at the park were broken into over a 6-day period that started on March 18. All of the victims told the same story... They were women who went to the park to walk the trails. They went back to their vehicles to find a smashed window and various items stolen, including purses, money, perfume, makeup, a cell phone, and in one case, a handgun. At least 3 victims said someone later used their ID to try and cash their stolen checks. Detectives have several surveillance photos from different banks around the state showing what looks like the same suspect cashing the checks. She did successfully cash checks in some cases, but in other cases, the banks realized something was wrong and refused. Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the burglaries is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS. Information also can be submitted by downloading the smartphone app from the Crime Stoppers website, WeStopCrime.com. Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $5,000. Photo of the suspect courtesy VCSO. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
