Crime Roundup: woman charged with defrauding Pitt County farm

A Greensboro woman faces identity theft, forgery and other charges after she created a fake check using a Grimesland farm’s checking account number.

A news release from the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office said the agency received a report of fraud on Sept. 13, 2023, where a business check for almost $5,000 had been forged. Detectives launched an investigation which quickly developed a suspect and obtained a search warrant for bank records.

The release said evidence was examined and that arrest warrants were obtained for Elaysha Gabrielle Keels, 30, who Pitt County court documents said resides at 2016 Blair Khazan Road, Greensboro. Keels was charged with identity theft, forgery of instrument, uttering forged instrument and obtaining property by false pretense.

Court documents said that Keels made a counterfeit Southern Bank check in the amount of $4,932.16 that used the checking account number of a Grimesland hog farm. The check was written in payment to Keels and she cashed it at Publix Federal Credit Union.

Keels was arrested by the Greensboro Police Department on April 26. She was released after she posted a $5,000 secured bond.

The sheriff’s office in other cases released reports with the following details and allegations:

Break-ins, thefts

1600 block Manning Road, 4:32 p.m. May 2: fraud in the amount of $1 reported; case active.

Assaults

100 W. Third St., 10:15 a.m. May 2: woman assaulted by ex-partner at Pitt County Courthouse; case active.5130 Norma Drive, 7:34 p.m. May 2: man assaulted by unknown person at RDLMC Farm; case active.

The Greenville Police Department released reports with the following details and allegations:

Break-ins, thefts

3432 block South Memorial Drive, 5:58 p.m. May 2: larceny in Hobby Lobby parking lot; case status unknown.

Assaults

2000 block Copper Beech Way, 6:48 p.m. May 2: woman assaulted by boyfriend at residence; case status unknown.2900 block Mulberry Lane, 9:20 p.m. May 2: woman assaulted by boyfriend at residence; case status unknown.2828 S. Memorial Drive, 11:07 p.m. May 2: woman assaulted with cutting instrument at Camelot Inn; case status unknown.