Warwick’s investigation of a series of larcenies may have provided a clue to the whereabouts of a Cleveland, Ohio teenager who was reported missing in 2007.

Ashley Summers was last seen on July 6, 2007 near her home in Cleveland and reported missing three days later. She was 14 at the time.

Col. Stephen McCartney explained yesterday that as part of the department’s investigation of car larcenies at City Park last fall, detectives followed up on the use of a credit card that had been stolen. The card had been used to obtain funds from a bank drive-up window, and police were able to obtain a photograph of the car’s driver and passenger, a woman. They also were able to obtain a picture of the car, but not its registration, McCartney said.

Warwick Police posted the photograph on Rhode Island’s Most Wanted website in September or October. Within the last two weeks, the department was contacted by a Rhode Island resident who said they are a relative of the missing woman and that the photograph appeared to be Ashley.

McCartney said yesterday there’s a “strong resemblance” between the missing girl and the woman photographed at the bank.

“I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up that this is the same person,” the chief said.

Not only did McCartney point out there’s no knowing at this time whether the woman pictured is the girl who was reported missing seven years ago, but where the woman is today.

The chief said police have not identified the man pictured, either.