Special to Iredell Free News

The Mooresville Police Department began receiving reports in late September from residents about being victims of fraud while attempting to sell items on social media. The victims stated that they had listed items for sale on Facebook Marketplace and agreed to meet an individual at various locations in Mooresville to sell the items.

During these meetings, the suspect — who was described as a younger white male — purchased expensive electronic devices from the victims using what the victims later found out was counterfeit currency, police said.

MPD detectives began an investigation into the crimes and soon identified the suspect as 25-year-old Lance Tyler Loper of Mooresville.

As part of the investigation, detectives executed a search warrant on Loper’s residence.

Evidence recovered during the search tied Loper to the reported crimes and led to the discovery that there may be additional similar crimes committed by Loper that have not been reported to law enforcement, police said.

Detectives also learned that Loper had assaulted his girlfriend and caused injuries that required her to received medical attention, according to a news release.

On October 11, Loper was arrested and charged with two counts of felony obtaining property by false pretense and two counts of possession of counterfeit instruments. Loper was also charged with misdemeanor assault on a female.

Loper was booked into the Iredell County Jail and held on a $10,000 secured bond for the false pretense and counterfeit charges. Loper was placed under an initial no bond for the domestic assault charges, which was amended to a $7,500 secured bond after his first appearance.

The Mooresville Police Department is asking that if you or anyone you know may have been a victim of or made transactions with Loper, contact Sergeant G. Lawing at 704-658-9007 or glawing@mooresvillenc.gov.