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Update: Credit Card Theft Suspect Charged – Tipster Helped Close This Case

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 5, 2018


Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – 4th District Patrol Investigations Unit have charged George Portes, age 58, of the 18300 block of Powhatan Court in Gaithersburg, with theft and credit card fraud offenses after he fraudulently used credit cards stolen from victims who were exercising in area gyms. 

The following thefts of credit cards were reported to police:

  • March 8, 2017, at the Gold’s Gym located at 18810 Woodfield Road in Gaithersburg.
  • March 29, 2018. Investigators believe that this theft may have occurred at the Gold’s Gym located at 18330 Village Center Drive in Olney.
  • April 18, 2018. Investigators believe that this theft may have occurred at the Gold’s Gym located at 18330 Village Center Drive in Olney.
The suspect then fraudulently used the victims’ stolen credit cards in various stores to include the Home Depot and a CVS pharmacy in Gaithersburg.

On June 5, detectives released surveillance photographs of the suspect to the media and public and asked for help in identifying him.  Investigators received a tip which led to the identification of Portes as the suspect.

On June 28, detectives obtained a search warrant for Portes’ residence.  During the search, investigators recovered items of evidence related to these thefts.

On August 25, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Portes charging him with multiple counts of theft and credit card fraud related offenses. On August 30, Portes turned himself into police and was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

The police department thanks the tipster who provided the information that led to Portes' identification and arrest.

RLG

George PortesGeorge Portes (Original Image)


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Release ID: 18-371
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: credit-credit-theft-andor-fraud