SALEM, Ore. -- The Salem Police Department released a Ten Most Wanted List and they need your help in catching their most sought after criminals in order to bring justice to victims.
Case in point, Linda and James Cheatham.
"I think it was much worse than a physical assault or something that would have happened, would have hurt and then would have been over," said Linda Cheatham.
Two years ago, the Cheathams took a long awaited road trip across the United States. While they were gone, someone broke into their Salem home, stole property, checks, credit cards and spent all of their money.
"I went down to the ATM machine to get some more money and it was all gone," said James Cheatham.
The couple was out about $30,000 in cash and more than $12,000 in property. Detectives say the Cheatham's checks ended up Jennifer Carrol's hands. Salem police say Carrol has a hefty rap sheet.
"The crimes that she's accused of committing occurred in early 2008 and we've been looking for her since then," said Detective Treven Upkes with the Salem Police Department.
Det. Upkes said for years, Carrol has been an ID theft "ring leader" of sorts. Upkes said Carrol's criminal history dates back more than a decade and she has cost her victims tens of thousands of dollars.
"That ranges from individuals to financial institutions to grocery stores where everybody took losses," he said.
The Cheatham's eventually did get their money back, but for them it was about much more than money.
"These identity thieves are no good to society. They're no good to anybody. They're just parasites," said James Cheatham.
Linda Cheatham added, "I would just like to get her off the street so that she can't hurt other people because it is devastating."
Jennifer Carrol is believed to be living in the northwest; most likely in Washington.
If you have any information, call the Salem Police Department at (503) 588-6175.
