Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Malaysia Uynalyse Rushing, age 23, and Jeffrey Jarreau Frisbey, age 33, were apprehended yesterday on allegations of utilizing a credit card stolen from a disabled woman during Rushing’s time as her in-home healthcare provider.
Rushing commenced her services with the victim on September 30 and was present at the victim’s house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. Rushing was the sole caregiver assigned and was alone with the victim during that timeframe.
The victim informed a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officer that she visited the bathroom multiple times, leaving her purse on a chair in the kitchen. A few hours following Rushing’s departure, the victim started receiving fraud alerts related to her credit card. Upon checking her wallet, she discovered the card was missing. Although she promptly canceled the card, 10 fraudulent purchases amounting to $1,510.03 had already been conducted.
One of these unauthorized purchases occurred at Target in Gainesville, where a Loss Prevention Officer retrieved surveillance footage capturing the transaction. The recording reportedly depicted Rushing and a male accomplice, identified later as Frisbey, making the purchase, with Frisbey using the card while Rushing observed. The GPD detective leading the investigation noted that the footage displayed Rushing and Frisbey with “excellent, crystal-clear surveillance video,” both with visible faces.
The pair can be seen getting into a car, and the detective reported that the license plate is registered to Rushing.
The card was similarly used at Bath & Body Works in Butler Plaza, where the detective again reported high-quality surveillance footage showing Frisbey using the card under Rushing’s watch.
Additional allegations include Frisbey making a purchase at Oaks South pawn shop and both individuals allegedly purchasing an Apple Watch at TB Goods, with Frisbey using the card while Rushing observed. Frisbey reportedly gave his name at TB Goods to benefit from their customer loyalty program.
A representative from Rushing’s employer went to GPD Headquarters on October 2 and said the business placed Rushing on suspension after the victim reported the theft. Rushing’s employer gave the detective evidence from the company’s internal investigation and said Rushing had denied taking the credit card or using it.
Rushing was arrested yesterday and brought to GPD Headquarters for an interview. Post Miranda, she reportedly identified herself in surveillance video from Target, Bath & Body Works, and TB Goods Pawn Shop. The detective reported that she was still wearing the same clothes she had worn in the stores. Rushing also reportedly identified Frisbey as the male who was with her in each store. However, when she was asked why she took the victim’s card, she continued to deny taking the card.
Rushing confirmed that she and the victim were the only people at the victim’s house during the period when the card went missing, and she reportedly had no explanation for how Frisbey ended up with the victim’s credit card.
Frisbey was arrested while Rushing was being interviewed, and he was also taken to GPD Headquarters. Post Miranda, he did not admit or deny obtaining the credit card from Rushing; he reportedly nodded his head, “No,” and said, “It was a mistake.” When asked why he had used the victim’s card in multiple stores when Rushing had taken it, he reportedly said again, “It was a mistake.”
Rushing has been charged with grand theft, exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult, and fraudulent use of a credit card. She has no criminal history, and Judge Jonathan Ramsey set bail at $20,000.
Frisbey has been charged with grand theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. He has two felony convictions (non-violent) and two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and has served two state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2018. Judge Ramsey set bail at $15,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
