Home Waynesboro Police nab couple for credit card theft, shopping spree
Local

Waynesboro Police nab couple for credit card theft, shopping spree

Chris Graham

The Waynesboro Police Department has charged a Stuarts Draft couple after they went on a shopping spree with stolen credit cards last month.

Joseph Brian Smith, 32 years old, and Nickole Elizabeth Santiago, 31 years old, both face six felony charges each stemming from the two day crime wave in which they racked up nearly $2,000.00 in purchases from two Waynesboro stores.  On September 5, the victims, an Augusta County couple, reported to the police department that credit cards stolen from their residence in Augusta County had been used at the Lowe’s and Kohl’s stores in Waynesboro in late August.  Officers tracked the fraudulent purchases to Smith and Santiago who are acquaintances of the victim’s son.

Over two days, Smith and Santiago used the credit cards and other personal identification from the victims to buy jewelry, clothes, tools, cleaning supplies and other merchandise from the box stores.  When an officer investigating the case located Smith at his residence, he was wearing a belt and watch that he purchased from Kohl’s.

Smith and Santiago face the following felony charges:

  • Credit Card Fraud (three counts)
  • Identity Theft with Financial Loss greater than $200 (three counts)

They were arrested by the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office on September 16 at their residence in Stuarts Draft.  They are being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.




Featured Video

 

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.

Latest News

waynesboro map
Local, Politics

Waynesboro: Mimosa Farm owner throwing in the towel, puts property on the market

vdot road construction
Local

VDOT begins work on $2.1M project to improve pedestrian access at three intersections

Work began this week on a $2.1 million project to improve safety and access for pedestrians and public-transit users at three locations in Augusta County and the City of Waynesboro.

Elaine Luria
Politics, Virginia

Poll: Elaine Luria has three-point lead over Jen Kiggans in the Second District

A poll out on Wednesday from Christopher Newport University gives Democrat Elaine Luria a three-point lead on MAGA incumbent Jen Kiggans in the Second District congressional race in Hampton Roads. The 2026 midterm race is a reprise of the 2022 midterm race in which Kiggans unseated Luria by three points, in a mild upset. The...

arn anderson mid atlantic territory wrestling
Pro Wrestling

Mid-Atlantic Territory Wrestling returns to Augusta Expo on Saturday, Nov. 7

government money
Football, Go 'Hoos

UVA Athletics: Taking selling out to the highest bidder to the next level

richard linton virginia tech
Life, Virginia

Virginia Tech: Board of Visitors names alum Richard Linton new president

uva football offensive line
Football, Go 'Hoos

UVA Football: Interesting tidbit on the O line from Pro Football Focus grades