NY Men Charged with Credit Card Fraud in Limerick

The following press release was sent in by Limerick Police Chief Bill Albany:

On Tuesday night, February 28, 2012 at 1821 hours, were dispatched to the regarding two males involved in credit card fraud. Prior to officers responding, the males left operating a 2010 4-door white Toyota Corolla bearing (NJ) registration, which was later found to be a HERTZ Rent a Car.

Officers were advised that the males were seen making purchases at several different stores earlier prior to the report from the Sunoco.  It was explained that that both males were paying for items one at a time and making the cashier ring up each item separately. The males would then pay for those items with a debit/credit card, put it aside, then have the next item rung up. The males were purchasing cigarettes and gift cards.

The suspects were stopped and were both found in possession of several credit/debit cards.  The and Sunoco stores were reporting that the debit/credit cards presented for purchase were coming up "invalid" or were being approved.  Additionally, different information other than the account numbers displayed on the cards was coming up on their computers and receipts.  It appeared that the cards were fraudulent as the cards were coded with other person’s information.

A search warrant was executed on the rental vehicle.  Of note, a significant number of Green Dot Visa credit cards were located within the vehicle. Approximately 19 of the cards were embossed with account numbers. There were approx. 10 Green Dot Visa credit cards that were in packaging. There was also about 15 assorted gift/credit/phone cards still in their packaging, a number of small purchases from mostly convenience/grocery type stores, a GPS unit and a large number (50+ cartons) of cigarettes.

Additionally, during the search of the rental vehicle, a GPS Unit was recovered.   From this unit it was discovered that the suspects had recently visited 18 convenience stores in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Arrested and charged with Fraud and related charges were Christopher Idore, age 23, of the 2100 block of 100th Ave, Queens Village, New York and Rockiem Alke-Ryan Taylor, age 23, of the 1900 block of 114th St, St . Albans, New York.  Taylor has a prior arrest for possession of Marijuana.  Idore, a Crip gang member, is currently on probation through New York State for a December 2010 arrest for possession of a forgery instrument.  This is Idore’s third arrest for forgery and fraud related crimes since being placed on probation.  The United States Secret Service is assisting with the investigation.