The FBI arrested a fifth suspect in connection to a fraudulent lottery scam.
Multiple agencies have been working to take suspects into custody since last Friday when four arrests were made as part of Operation Jamaican Knights.
Peter Walcott, Malik Chambers, Romario Nembhard and Jermaine Smith, all Jamaican nationals, were taken into custody last week and charged with mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
RELATED: Operation Jamaican Knights nets four arrests in Foley
The fifth suspect was arrested Wednesday after a police chase through Gulf Shores. Police said a vehicle registered to the suspect was spotted in the area of Highway 59 and Ft. Morgan Road around 7:47 a.m. When officers attempted to pull the car over, the driver fled.
Units with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and the Orange Beach Police Department assisted in the chase, which ended on Cotton Creek Drive.
According to the FBI, the defendants scammed victims nationwide out of more than $200,000.
Court documents state that some of the victims were elderly, and they were made to believe they had won the lottery. The scammers directed them to pay taxes on their winnings by sending cash to addresses in Baldwin County. Over 100 shipments of cash were made.
If convicted, the suspects face up to 20 years in prison for the scam.
The defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
