Clayton News Daily

Jatonya Mitchell

RIVERDALE — Police officers disguised themselves for an undercover operation to catch a thief in the act.

Riverdale officers dressed as Home Depot delivery men Thursday, to apprehend a woman accused of using stolen credit cards, according to Riverdale Investigator B. Elder.

Home Depot Central Investigators contacted the Riverdale police department regarding Jatonya Tripodis purchasing large stainless steel appliances and gift cards Nov. 9, with what store investigators suspected were stolen Mastercard and Visa credit cards.

Elder said Tripodis ordered a Maytag JetClean plus front control dishwasher, a Frigidaire 18.2 cubic-foot top freezer refrigerator, and a Maytag 30-inch self-cleaning freestanding electric range.

The total amount for the appliances was $2,079.06, according to police report.

Police said Tripodis arranged for the appliances to be delivered to her home, located at 967 Steeplechase Lane in Riverdale.

Thursday, Elder along with Riverdale patrolmen met with the delivery truck driver at the intersection of East Fayetteville Road and Riverdale Road. The officers dressed up as Home Depot delivery men and went to the suspect’s house.

“When we arrived in front of the residence, she was coming outside as if she were about to leave,” Elder said in the report. The undercover officer confirmed she was Tripodis and asked her to verify her Home Depot order. She did, he said.

“Once she signed all the paperwork,” Elder said, “I began to place her under arrest. Tripodis continued to resist and she was taken to the ground using soft-hand tactics.”

Police charged Tripodis with six counts of financial transaction card fraud.

Tripodis was released from the Clayton County Jail Nov. 15, on a $5,000 bond.