By Allison Peck
MARS HILL, Maine — A woman accused of carrying out a multi-state bank fraud scheme targeting several western Nebraska banks has been arrested in Maine, according to law enforcement officials in both states.
Authorities say the woman, whose name has not yet been released pending formal charges, was taken into custody in Mars Hill, Maine, following a coordinated investigation involving the Maine State Police, Alliance Police Department, Phelps County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI.
Fraud Scheme Spanned Two States
Investigators say the woman is believed to have used fake identification cards to access accounts that were not her own at banks across western Nebraska. According to the Alliance Police Department, she allegedly withdrew nearly $30,000 in cash from multiple locations, including:
- Security First Bank in Rushville
- First Interstate Bank in Alliance
- Platte Valley Bank in Bridgeport
Surveillance images and transaction records reportedly showed the same woman making unauthorized withdrawals at branches across the region.
Public Tip Leads to Arrest
Police in Maine issued a public appeal last week after the woman was caught on camera conducting similar fraudulent transactions at banks in Bangor and Mars Hill, driving what authorities described as a silver or gray Jeep Cherokee. The Maine State Police said multiple public tips helped investigators identify and locate the suspect, leading to her arrest late last week.
Alliance Police confirmed the woman in custody is the same person connected to the Nebraska fraud cases.
“This arrest is the result of strong cooperation between law enforcement in multiple states and members of the public who provided valuable information,” the department said in a statement.
Distinctive Description
Before the arrest, Nebraska police released detailed surveillance photos, noting that the suspect appeared to have a noticeable gap or missing tooth in the upper row of her teeth and often wore dark clothing when approaching tellers. Investigators say she used high-quality fake IDs to pose as legitimate account holders, allowing her to withdraw large sums quickly before banks detected the fraud.
Investigation Continues
Authorities believe the woman may have traveled through several states committing similar crimes. The FBI is now assisting both Nebraska and Maine officials in reviewing potential related incidents. Police have not yet released details on when the suspect will be extradited to Nebraska or what additional charges may be filed.
Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
Law enforcement officials are asking anyone who may have had interactions with the woman or noticed suspicious bank activity to contact police:
- Alliance Police Department: (308) 762-4955
- Maine State Police, Cpl. Ted Martin: (207) 532-5400
Authorities also advise residents to monitor their bank accounts for unauthorized withdrawals and report any concerns immediately.
Sources: Alliance Police Department, News Channel Nebraska, WAGM