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Fraud Suspect Purchases Items Totaling Approximately $12,000 with Victims’ Stolen Credit Cards; Residents Reminded to Keep Purses and Wallets Close While Shopping

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 14, 2016

In August, MCP released photographs of a suspect who fraudulently used several credit cards that had been stolen from a 71-year-old female victim’s wallet. The suspect purchased approximately $6,100 worth of items at various stores in Montgomery County. The victim had been purchasing groceries at a Bethesda store on July 21 when she realized that her wallet was no longer in her purse.  One of the stolen credit cards was used to purchase a blue “Santa Cruz” bicycle (see manufacturer photo below) for approximately $5,000 at a store in Bethesda.

Detectives have obtained additional photographs of the same suspect committing fraud using credit cards stolen from a 74-year-old female victim’s wallet.  The victim had been purchasing groceries at a North Potomac shopping center on August 12 when she stepped away from her cart momentarily.  When she returned to her cart, she noticed that her wallet was missing from her purse.  A total of approximately $5,900 was fraudulently charged to the victim’s stolen credit cards and $600 in additional charges were attempted but declined.  One of the stolen credit cards was used to purchase a men’s watch valued at approximately $3,500.

Anyone with information about this suspect or these crimes is asked to call the 1st District-Shift 4 at 240-773-6070 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.  To be eligible for a reward, tipsters must call Crime Solvers.  Callers may remain anonymous.

The Department urges residents to follow these tips while shopping:

  • Carry a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
  • Carry your closed purse as close to your body as possible.
  • Do not become distracted by your shopping.  Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
  • Park in well-lighted parking lots and park as close to the shopping center or store as possible.
  • Lock your car doors and keep packages hidden in the trunk or under the seats of your vehicle.
  • Do not carry large amounts of cash with you – pay with checks or credit cards when possible.
  • Try to avoid carrying a large number of bags. Make trips back to your vehicle to store packages in the trunk as you continue to shop.
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Release ID: 16-240
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: credit-credit-theft-andor-fraud