Fairfax County police have arrested a local woman who, they contend, has a penchant for expensive items, but a less-than-legal way of obtaining them.
Shewaye Yemane, of 12304 Field Lark Lane in Fairfax's Pender community, is charged with 11 crimes, involving nearly $4,000 worth of credit-card theft and fraud, plus shoplifting from the Tysons Corner Neiman Marcus.
Brought in twice to the Adult Detention Center, she was released on $30,000 bond, pending two upcoming court dates. In a Sept. 9 affidavit for a warrant to search her home, Det. B.S. Walley, a retail crimes investigator with the McLean District Station, detailed the case against her.
He wrote that, on Aug. 29, he responded to the Neiman Marcus store at 2001 International Drive in McLean, regarding a shoplifter in custody. He spoke with Tim Holloman, a Neiman Marcus loss-prevention agent, and learned that Yemane had been "detained after [allegedly] stealing merchandise from the store."
Walley wrote that Yemane is allegedly "responsible for numerous credit-card frauds, as well as a felony concealment of merchandise on Aug. 23. On that date, Yemane was observed stealing a red, Burberry-brand skirt valued at $290. Yemane was not stopped on that date. She later admitted to [me] that she stole the skirt and [it's] at her home."
In a one-week period from the end of July to the beginning of August, the detective wrote, "Yemane purchased merchandise in excess of $3,000 from Neiman Marcus [by allegedly] using a store credit account in the name of Teruberhan Fentike. [I] spoke with Fentike and was [reportedly] advised that Yemane did not have permission to possess or use the credit card in any manner."
Walley wrote that he determined that 11 fraudulent transactions occurred between July 29-Aug. 4, totaling approximately $3,900. Furthermore, he noted that he spoke to two sales associates who reportedly "can identify Yemane as the individual who presented the stolen credit card during the ... fraudulent purchases." Walley also reviewed Fentike's credit-card statement and learned that the Fentike's card was used to buy clothing, perfume, handbags and jewelry.
Based on that information, he requested a search warrant to look for these items in Yamane's townhouse. They included a Louis Vuitton purse, change purse, planner and makeup case, as well as La Mer face cream, lotion and makeup.
Also sought were a Majorica pearl necklace and pearl earrings; blue, gold and clear Bulgari perfumes; Chanel sunglasses, Cartier perfume, I.D. cards, driver's licenses or other forms of identification "stolen, obtained or manufactured to support stolen credit cards."
Police executed the warrant Sept. 10, seizing a Louis Vuitton purse and handbag, seven La Mer items, a Majorica pearl necklace, Neiman Marcus pearl necklace, Cartier perfume, an overdraft letter and three credit documents.
Police arrested Yemane, Aug. 29, charging her with nine crimes — three grand larcenies with a credit card, three frauds with a credit card, two grand larcenies and one identity fraud. She was released, Aug. 30, on $27,000 bond.
Police arrested her again last Tuesday, Sept. 9, charging her with fraud with a credit card and grand larceny with a credit card. She was released, Sept. 10, on $3,000 bond. Yemane is to appear in court on Oct. 29 and Nov. 12.