Local Police Reports

Secret Service Investigates After Police Find Suspect Counterfeit Travelers Checks in Vehicle


Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The driver of a vehicle involved in a traffic stop is now facing an investigation by the United States Secret Service after Park Forest police discovered a large number of American Express Travelers checks valued at $500 each in the vehicle she was driving.

Nietria L. Adams, 20, 9730 S. King Dr., Chicago, was arrested on March 2 and issued traffic citations charging expired registration, improper use of registration and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle when detectives patrolling in the area of Lakewood Boulevard and Westwood Dr. observed that the temporary registration on the vehicle she was driving had expired in August and was registered to a different vehicle, according to police. A passenger in the vehicle, Jennifer R. Terrell, 21, 7908 S. Langley Ave., Chicago, was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis.

During the traffic stop, detectives discovered a large brown paper cigar containing a green leafy substance, suspect cannabis, under the radio in the center console. While Detective Mannino was performing a total inventory search of the vehicle, he located a gold-colored envelope in the trunk that was addressed to Adams. The envelope had been mailed from Ghana. Detective Mannino asked Adams if the package was hers and she stated it was. Detective Mannino asked her if she was willing to open the package and she stated she was. Adams then opened the package which exposed rectangular packages wrapped in brown paper. Without being asked, Adams continued to open one of the smaller packages, which exposed several American Express Travelers checks valued at $500 each, according to police.

According to police, Adams told them she met a man from Nigeria in Chicago in April of 2009. According to police, she said the man told her to expect a package in the mail. Her instructions were to keep the package but not open it, according to police. The man allegedly told her that he would come for the package in March.

The case was turned over to the United States Secret Service for further investigation.

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