2 Accused Of Soliciting Bogus 'Support Our Troops' Contributions To Fuel Drug Habit
GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ)-- Two people are arrested after police say they fraudulently collected funds for the "Support our Troops Foundation" to support their drug habit.
Matthew David Michalski, 25, and Amanda Ashley Miskimon, 21, were collecting "donations" outside of a Giant market in Glen Burnie on Friday when a donor grew suspicious.
Police arrived to the parking lot of the store, located in 7900-block of Crain Highway, around 6:45 p.m. Friday. Officers met with a man who said he was concerned about a donation he just made to a group collecting for the "Support our Troops Foundation."
After making a donation to a man and a woman supposedly collecting funds for the charity, the man says he asked for and was given a flier about the group. He then called a number on the flier and heard a cell phone in one of the collector's pocket start to ring. He then called police.
Investigating officers first made contact with Miskimon, but Michalski had already fled the area with the collection jar. When officers did find Michalski, the collection jar was gone.
Officers eventually called the actual "Support Our Troops Foundation" and after speaking with representatives from the group, they were able to determine that neither of these two people represented nor were they authorized to make collections on behalf of the foundation.
The suspects were taken into custody and transported for processing.
Police seized money as evidence.
The suspects admitted that this was not the first time they fraudulently collected donations to fuel their drug habit. They are charged with fraud-misrepresenting fundraising, trespassing and theft.
Anyone who may have donated to the suspects are urged to contact the Anne Arundel County Police Department at 410-222-6145.
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