THORNTON, Colo. — Four Thornton Police Department (TPD) detectives were recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday for their role in the investigation of a fraud scheme that took millions of dollars.
TPD said the detectives pursued a high-level credit card scheme and eventually partnered with the FBI, U.S. Postal Service, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.
Millions of dollars, primarily from seniors, were fraudulently obtained through the confidence scheme, according to TPD.
>Raw video above: Ceremony and remarks honoring the Thornton detectives
The funds were eventually laundered and sold as gift cards overseas, TPD said.
"The detectives conducted numerous surveillance operations, covertly went through the suspects’ trash on multiple occasions, spent days reassembling shredded gift cards, and ultimately followed their leads to East Asia," said TPD Sgt. Thomas Connor.
Two defendants have pleaded guilty so far, and 25 other defendants are being monitored, TPD said.
The event, which is part of a large national recognition under the 4th Annual Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in Policing, took place at 10 a.m. at the Thornton Police Department.
Detective Bryan Bennett, Detective Ty Deichert, Detective Fred Longobricco, and Detective Ian Ranshaw all received recognition.
Phil Keith, the U.S. Department of Justice director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, and local state representatives were also in attendance.
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