Two people were arrested after allegedly taking donations for military troops and using them to fuel a drug habit, according to police.
Anne Arundel County police arrested Matthew David Michalski, 25, of Baltimore, and Amanda Ashley Miskimon, 21, of Baltimore after receiving a tip from a victim of the scam. Both are charged with fraud – misrepresenting fundraising and theft. Michalski is also charged with trespassing.
Investigators said a victim donated money to the two, who said they were collecting in the parking lot of Giant Foods in Glen Burnie for a group called “Support Our Troops Foundation.” The victim called a number on a flier about the group he received from the two and heard a cellphone in one of the collector’s pocket start ringing.
After notifying police, officers spoke with Miskimon and she told them Michalski had fled the area with the money. A search was made and Michalski was found, but the money was not.
Officers were able to locate a number for 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.
It was learned during interviews that the suspects have done this before. In addition, based on the investigation and interviews, the suspects were committing this fraud to fuel a drug habit.
Any person having contact with the suspects are urged to contact the Anne Arundel County Police Department at (410)-222-6145.
