Columbia Police investigators want to locate a 20-year-old man accused of fraudulently obtaining thousands of dollars worth of gift cards from a local retail store.
Arrest warrants have been entered into the National Crime Information (NCIC) database for Ashad Brooks (DOB: 10-12-1996).
Once arrested, he is expected to be charged with Blackmail/Extortion and Obtaining Property under False Pretenses.
Brooks is accused of threatening the life of a Wal-mart employee’s child if she didn’t give him Visa gift cards worth close to $18,000 in June 2017. As a result of the threat, the female was in fear for her child’s safety. Brooks in turn, received the cards without paying for them.
The CPD has consulted with the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office regarding the case and additional charges could be forthcoming in this on-going investigation.
Citizens with information about Brooks’ whereabouts are encouraged to contact Crimestoppers in any of the following ways:
CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC.
TEXT to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with “TIPSC,” followed by the tip information.
LOG onto: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.
