Beginning in October of 2009 Edward Brueggemeyer conspired with seven other suspects in a series of fraudulent jewelry transactions across Maricopa County. The men purchased large quantities of stainless steel bracelets and necklaces, stamped the jewelry with 14k, 18k, and .750 identifiers, and received cash for the fake jewelry. The transaction methods included either pawning the items or receiving cash as scrap gold from licensed gold dealers.
Investigators estimate the scheme yielded the suspects $150,000 in Arizona alone and as much as $500,000 across Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and throughout the southwestern United States. Detectives estimate over 140 transactions by the group occurred in Arizona. Mr. Brueggemeyer was identified as the mastermind in the group.
This past spring Mr. Brueggemeyer was arrested in Grand Prairie, Texas after an arrest warrant was issued against him, and he was extradited to Arizona. On August 23, 2012 Mr. Brueggemeyer pled guilty in Superior Court to 15 counts of Fraudulent Schemes. He was sentenced to six years in prison along with a term of probation and restitution once his prison sentence is complete.
For more information, please contact Detective Seth Tyler at (480) 782-4130.
