On July 7, officers responded to a Waldorf car dealership after receiving a call that someone was attempting to fraudulently purchase a vehicle using the identity of a recently deceased person. The caller, a representative of the decedent’s estate, reported that the decedent’s identity and credit information were being used to attempt to purchase a Mercedes-Benz SUV valued at over $50,000.

Upon arrival, officers located Louisa Michelene Coles, 48, of Washington, DC, walking near the dealership. After confirming that Coles was the person attempting to purchase the vehicle, she was detained and found to have a fake identification card and a credit card containing the deceased person’s name and personal information. Coles was arrested and charged with fraud, identify theft, and other related offenses.

Officers are working to determine how Coles obtained the decedent’s information and whether she may be involved in additional cases. Anyone with information about this incident or about Coles is asked to contact Officer A. Dunn at 301-609-3282 ext. 0809. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers at 1?866?411?TIPS. Tips may also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or through the P3Intel mobile app.