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3 Men, Woman Arrested For Fraud Following Extensive Search Around Essex, Police Say

ESSEX, MD. (WJZ) — Baltimore County police have arrested four people for an in-progress fraud in Essex on Wednesday.

Police responded to the TD Bank in the 1800 block of Eastern Boulevard at around 11:40 a.m. where they learned multiple people had tried to pass a bad check at the bank.

Baltimore County Police Identify Suspects In Alleged Fraud Incident At TD Bank In Essex

They also learned one of the suspects may have been armed with a gun.

Responding officers arrested a woman at the scene. The others had fled, causing a search of the area around Earheart Road, including local road closures.

Three men were later found and arrested. They will be identified after they are formally charged, police said.

"Information was updated indicating that someone did have a gun, one of the suspects," Detective Rob Reason, of the Baltimore County Police, said.

Police searched the area by air and by foot. Anyone who lived close to the area was told to lock their doors while the suspects were on the loose.

"The next things I know, I see them with dogs walking round and two helicopters flying low profile," Debbie Frances, a witness, said.

Mckenzie Ireland said officers told her to leave her house and find a safe place for her and her family. It turns out, she said, police found three of the four suspects hiding in the bushes in her backyard.

"They were hiding between both garages, but they were in my yard," Ireland said.

Other witnesses said the scariest part of it all was not knowing what was happening.

"For the cops to come around and tell you they had no clue where they might be, it's a little unsettling," Billy Deetz said.

Debbie Frances and her daughter, Crystal, said they could hear the police commands as officers closed in on the suspects.

"Towards the end of everything that was happening and they were saying please come out and surrender," Frances said.

Baltimore County Officers are continuing the investigation into this incident. Anyone who may have additional information on this incident is asked to contact police by calling the Essex Precinct at 410-887-0220. Callers may remain anonymous.

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