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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — An identity theft case involving a stolen credit card has police asking the public for help in identifying a suspect who racked up several hundred dollars in fraudulent charges.
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department gave the Tahoe Daily Tribune two photographs in the hope that it will lead to an arrest.
On Dec. 18, at about 8:30 a.m. the victim had her wallet stolen at the midtown 7-Eleven gas station on Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
The victim told the Tribune the crime happened as she was filling her gas tank and that the suspect, who she did not see, took the wallet in a matter of seconds.
The suspect opened the car door as she was filling the tank and grabbed her wallet and shut the door softly. The victim said that prior to filling up she pulled her wallet out of her purse to use a credit card to pay for the gas and then put the wallet on the passenger seat.
"I've been taking my wallet out of my purse for years and putting it next to me when I fill up. It's something you don't really think about," the victim said.
And most people don't really think about the goings-on around them as they fill their gas tanks, she added.
According to South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Doug Sentelll the thief then took the victim’s credit card from the wallet to at least six local businesses, and, within 30 minutes, racked up the credit card charges.
"He knew exactly what he was doing. He went and started charging as soon as he got my wallet and knew exactly when to stop," the victim said.
Several surveillance cameras at local stores recorded the suspect using the stolen card, and police have asked the public for help identifying him.
The suspect is described as a white male, 35-45 years old, medium build, with a very short haircut. At the time of the purchases, the suspect was wearing thin-rimmed glasses, a green flannel jacket and blue jeans.
He was seen driving a mid- to late-90s silver four-door sedan. The car had possible damage to the driver’s side door and headlight.
South Lake Tahoe police are asking for help. Those with any information should contact Sentell at (530) 542-6100 or Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800.
Police encourage anyone who has had any loss or theft of personal information to report it immediately. It is important for victims to cancel any lost credit or debit cards, and close any checking accounts as soon as they discover the loss or theft, Sentell said.
It is also important to check credit reports for any unauthorized accounts for several months after thefts, Sentell said.
"This can happen at any place at any time," the victim told the Tribune.
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department gave the Tahoe Daily Tribune two photographs in the hope that it will lead to an arrest.
On Dec. 18, at about 8:30 a.m. the victim had her wallet stolen at the midtown 7-Eleven gas station on Lake Tahoe Boulevard.
The victim told the Tribune the crime happened as she was filling her gas tank and that the suspect, who she did not see, took the wallet in a matter of seconds.
The suspect opened the car door as she was filling the tank and grabbed her wallet and shut the door softly. The victim said that prior to filling up she pulled her wallet out of her purse to use a credit card to pay for the gas and then put the wallet on the passenger seat.
"I've been taking my wallet out of my purse for years and putting it next to me when I fill up. It's something you don't really think about," the victim said.
And most people don't really think about the goings-on around them as they fill their gas tanks, she added.
According to South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Doug Sentelll the thief then took the victim’s credit card from the wallet to at least six local businesses, and, within 30 minutes, racked up the credit card charges.
"He knew exactly what he was doing. He went and started charging as soon as he got my wallet and knew exactly when to stop," the victim said.
Several surveillance cameras at local stores recorded the suspect using the stolen card, and police have asked the public for help identifying him.
The suspect is described as a white male, 35-45 years old, medium build, with a very short haircut. At the time of the purchases, the suspect was wearing thin-rimmed glasses, a green flannel jacket and blue jeans.
He was seen driving a mid- to late-90s silver four-door sedan. The car had possible damage to the driver’s side door and headlight.
South Lake Tahoe police are asking for help. Those with any information should contact Sentell at (530) 542-6100 or Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800.
Police encourage anyone who has had any loss or theft of personal information to report it immediately. It is important for victims to cancel any lost credit or debit cards, and close any checking accounts as soon as they discover the loss or theft, Sentell said.
It is also important to check credit reports for any unauthorized accounts for several months after thefts, Sentell said.
"This can happen at any place at any time," the victim told the Tribune.
