In February of this year, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office received a report of unemployment fraud. The victim advised his identity was used to apply for unemployment benefits through the Virginia Employment Commission.

Detective B.A. Talbot was assigned the case and found a phone number associated with the account to be connected to Kelly Blake, 35. Detective Talbot learned the unemployment benefits had been used at numerous Sheetz locations throughout Virginia to purchase gas and a variety of items. He obtained the stores’ security footage which showed a female matching the appearance of Kelly Blake frequent the locations in a silver sedan with Virginia registration. The sedan was also found to be connected to Blake. A trail of fraudulent transactions, revealed Blake’s preference for sweet drinks as Oreo milkshakes with extra scoops of Oreos and a large latte with extra pumps of marshmallow flavoring were frequently ordered by the suspect. The numerous transactions were all made using the fraudulently obtained government funds. She was also seen withdrawing funds from the unemployment account at ATMs within the Sheetz locations.

Detective Talbot executed numerous search warrants and subpoenas during the investigation which provided more evidence connecting Blake to the fraudulent account. She is currently wanted for felony credit card theft and felony credit card fraud.

Anyone with information on Blake’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at (540) 658-4400. Tips can also be submitted by texting STAFFORD + your tip to 274-637. She may be in the Town of New Market area.