Women arrested in fake movie money scam; third suspect at-large

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities have arrested two women suspected of using motion picture money for a large purchase last month; a third suspect is still on the loose.

Melissa Sinquefield, 30,  and Jocelyn Gerstenlauer, 19, both turned themselves in to Gwinnett County Police Thursday morning, according to a media release.  A third suspect, Travis B. Taylor, 36, remains at-large.

In August, police issued arrest warrants for the three trio for their involvement in the fraudulent transaction at the Walmart on Sardis Church Road in Buford.

On July 19, police say, Travis loaded his shopping cart with lawn equipment while Sinquefield confronted Gerstenlauer, a cashier at the store, about money she owed her. Sinquefield then left the store, and Taylor brought the equipment to Gerstenlauer’s checkout lane. He gave her 10 fake $100 bill to pay for the equipment. Sinquefield later returned the lawn equipment at different Walmart for cash.

Police say Gerstenlauer never returned to work after the fake money was discovered in her cash drawer.

Gerstenlauer is being charged with Forgery 1st Degree; she has since bonded out of jail.

Sinquefield is charged Forgery 1st Degree, Theft by Deception, and Probation Violation. 

Taylor, who is also wanted for another case of using fake money in Blakely, is charged with Forgery 1st Degree and Theft by Deception.

He is described as a black male, and was last seen wearing a pink shirt, khaki shorts, a white Chicago Bulls hat and white sneakers.

Investigators said he was seen in a red four-door hatchback, possibly a Ford Focus or Kia Forte.

Anyone with information is asked to call Gwinnett County police. A $2,000 reward is being offered for any information that can lead to an arrest.