Two would-be female con artists remained incarcerated June 1 at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on related fraud and concealing identity charges, according to jail records.
Deputy Josie Bowman of the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office recorded in an incident report that Bridget Ramirez and Savannah Sprunk went into the Fire Rock Navajo Casino on May 27 at about 7:17 pm and tried to cash a third party check. When they got to the casino’s cash counter, it was observed that the check ‘s routing number didn’t match the actual check. That fact alerted security officials.
The check was subsequently declined and authorities were notified of what turned into a “Thelma and Louise scheme,” a reference to the 1990s crime spree film duo.
Two prior checks were brought in earlier that day and cashed at the casino by two different people, Bowman’s report states. When asked where she obtained the check, Ramirez told a security officer, “from Walmart.” Ramirez said she was experiencing a bad case of identity fraud and was victimized by her roommate. Ramirez was immediately detained and Sprunk gave officials the false name of “Michelle Soto.”
The two told officials that they were “girlfriends,” and that they were staying at a Gallup hotel. Both Ramirez and Sprunk possessed ID cards. Sprunk was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Ramirez, 35, was arrested on fraud and conspiracy charges. Sprunk, 29, was arrested on the outstanding warrant charge and concealing identity and trying to pass a forged license charges. Ramirez had a bond set at $1,600 and Sprunk’s bond was at $5,100.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
