Dalton, Ga., police looking for Atlanta man in connection to area scams

Dalton, Ga., police are looking for an Atlanta man suspected of scamming several area stores with a partner, according to a news release from the Dalton Police Department.

Annise Timte Smith, 29, of Lithonia, is wanted for two counts of theft by deception, two counts of theft by shoplifting, 14 counts of criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor, and 18 counts of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor.

Smith and Howard Terez Fuller, 27, of Decatur, have allegedly ripped off two area Dollar Generals and one CVS after tricking cashiers into giving an incorrect amount of change from a purchase. Police say an investigation revealed the men tried the scam at five stores in the Dalton area and are suspected of scamming five Dollar General stores over a three-day period along Interstate 75 between Atlanta and Illinois.

photo Annise Timte Smith
photo Howard Terez Fuller

In each case, they left with a small amount of merchandise, approximately $95 in the store's money, and their original $100 bill. The pair traveled in a white 2012 Nissan Sentra.

Smith's alleged partner, Fuller, is wanted by both Dalton police and the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office on 14 counts of criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor, 18 counts of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor and four counts of being party to a crime.

Both men bonded out in Illinois, but Fuller was later arrested in Rockdale County and is awaiting being brought to Whitfield County, according to the release.

After reviewing cases reported from two Dollar General stores in early October, police determined that Fuller acted as a lookout while Smith tried to purchase cheap merchandise with a $100 bill. Smith distracted the clerk by engaging in conversation about applying for a job or flirting, and as the clerk began counting out the change, Smith requested the $100 bill back, saying he had exact change. A confused clerk was tricked into giving back the original $100 bill in addition to the store's money in the form of change before Smith and Fuller left with their money, the store's money and merchandise, according to the release.

Investigators believe the men could have pulled the same scam numerous times in other cities along the I-75 corridor. Dalton investigators are asking anyone who believes they may have been victims of the same scam, particularly at Dollar General and CVS stores, to contact Detective Brian Shirley at 706-278-9085, extension 9189.

Upcoming Events