Mount Vernon Man Arrested for Multiple Thefts

Mount Vernon, Washington- On June 4th, 2016 Mount Vernon Officers were dispatched to a theft that had occurred in the 200 block of South 27th street.

According to a probable cause affidavit of arrest, obtained by SkagitBreaking.com through a public disclosure request, a homeowner contacted Officers after a person they hired to do yard work stole their credit cards while using the restroom in their home.

The homeowner reported that her bank contacted her about three possible fraudulent charges from the previous day totaling $371.42. The only person that had been at or in her house the previous day was, 39-year old Derek French with a last known address on East Division in Mount Vernon.

Officers contacted the businesses where the fraudulent charges were made and viewed video of Mr. French making two purchases at Wal-Mart within 30 minutes of each other.  Officers were able to positively identify Mr. French as the person making the fraudulent purchases.  The first charge of $289.18 and a second charge of $55.04.   A third purchase was made at a Chevron Gas Station located in Mount Vernon for $27.20.

Detectives contacted Mr. French at his East Division address and placed him into custody where the recovered the stolen credit cards for the homeowner as well as a stolen credit card and checks in another woman’s name.

Mr. French refused to directly  answer Detectives questions if he had stolen the credit cards and checks  and instead told Detectives to “watch the video at the store ‘ to get their answers.   He did tell Detectives that he purchased cell phones, child supplies and various household items for the apartment at Wal Mart and he said he bought gas and cigarettes at Chevron.  He also told Detectives that he gave the people staying in the apartment the cell phones which they broke during an argument.

When asked how he obtained the other woman’s credit card and check, he said in the same manner he got the first. He was doing yard work and went inside to use the restroom and cool off.   Mr. French will be referred for charges in that incident out of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office as the theft is outside of Mount Vernon’s jurisdiction.

 

Mr. French was booked into the Skagit County Jail on Suspicion of theft 2nd, 3 counts of Identity theft, 4 Counts of Possession of Stolen Property and 3 counts of Theft 3rd.  He has since been released from jail pending his numerous court cases.