“Wagon Wheel Scam” / Theft.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2021

Contact:   Cape May Police Department

                  (609) 884-9500

Type of Incident: Theft Arrest / “Wagon Wheel Scam”

Location: Cape May, N.J., 08204

Date: 9/20/2021

Person(s) Involved:

Katarina Zirdum

Age: 31

Address: Cape May, New Jersey

Bojan Balaban

Age: 28

Seattle, Washington

Verginia Gheorghita

Age: 27

Miami, Florida

Ana Galesic

Age: 34

Cape May, New Jersey

Charges: Theft

Officer(s) Involved: Cape May Detective Division

Summary: On September 20, 2021, a local establishment reported that they believed multiple employees were utilizing the “Wagon Wheel Scam” to steal thousands of dollars from their business over the course of several months.  The Wagon-Wheel Method, one of the most commonly used scams in the restaurant industry, involves transferring an item that a server is responsible for making themselves across different checks (known as a ghost check) and then taking the cost of that item for themself. 

The Cape May Police Department / Detective Division investigated the claim and found that Katarina Zirdum, Bojan Balaban, Verginia Gheorghita, and Ana Galesic were creating “ghost checks” employing the Wagon Wheel Scam.  The investigation revealed that approximately $25,000 had been stolen from this business. 

At the conclusion of the investigation Katarina Zirdum, Bojan Balaban, Verginia Gheorghita, and Ana Galesic were charged with:

1. Theft – 2C:20-3a – A Third Degree Crime
2. Conspiracy to Commit Theft – 2C:5-2A(1) – A Third Degree Crime

Any charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty. 

Approved by: Chief Dekon W. Fashaw Sr. CMPD.