FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two suspects face charges in connection with a scheme in which fraudulently obtained Sam’s Club memberships and stolen credit card numbers were used to purchase nearly $30,000 worth of merchandise.

The Mooresville Police Department announced the arrests of Clavonna Miranda Jenkins-Kersey, 22, of Chesterfield, Va., and Isaiah Thomas Maldonado, 27, of New York, N.Y., in a news release on Tuesday.

The MPD began investigating on Monday when officers responded to the parking lot of Sam’s Club after receiving a report about a suspicious vehicle, according to the news release.

Upon arrival, officers noticed a U-Haul truck parked in the rear of the parking lot occupied by a male and female, police said. Neither individual had any identification.

Officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle and discovered numerous cases of Red Bull, Monster Energy Drink, Skittles, Ensure and various types of candy packed into the back of the truck, police said.

During further investigation, officers uncovered the scheme used to purchase the merchandise, according to the news release.

Jenkins-Kersey was charged with conspiracy to obtain property by a false pretense and obstruct and delay an officer for giving a fictitious name. She later released on a $7,500 bond.

Maldonado was charged with conspiracy to obtain property by a false pretense. He was later released on a $5,000 bond.

The 985 items recovered from the back of the truck, which were valued at $28,561, were returned to Sam’s Club, police said. This investigation is ongoing.