Corona del Mar Today: Newport police crack Fashion Island case

Newport Beach police have announced an arrest in a credit card fraud case that was made two months ago in Fashion Island.

A man, 24, of Alhambra, was arrested Aug. 12 at Bloomingdale's after buying $2,262 worth of women's makeup, said Sgt. Steve Burdette of the Newport Beach Police Department.

Store security, which had been working with Newport Beach economic crime detectives, recognized the man and called police. Officers arrived and arrested the man as he left the store. At the time of his arrest, the man had six credit cards in his name that all were fraudulently obtained, Burdette said.

"The accounts were attached to other actual cardholders and their accounts," he said.

The man is suspected of a similar crime that occurred on June 19 at Macy's in Fashion Island, as well in other upscale shops in other cities.

"This particular suspect would use stolen credit card accounts and other forms of identification in order to purchase thousands of dollars worth of property," Burdette said.

When he was arrested, the man also had identification that matched the six fraudulent cards, Burdette said.

"He claimed to be a 'runner' and said he was given the cards by an unknown subject," Burdette said. "He said as a 'runner' he would get a percentage of the items purchased. He said he was driven to that location by an unknown subject driving a silver Toyota Matrix."

Newport Beach Police Department's economic crime detectives Garrett Fitzgerald and Kyle Cammack had developed relationships with the various store security officers, which helped identify the suspect and lead to his arrest, Burdette said.

"This case was made due to the communication efforts made by Detectives Fitzgerald and Cammack to the store Security and Loss Prevention Officers in some of our larger retail establishments," Burdette said. "Great job by everyone involved."

Numerous charges are pending against the man, Burdette said.

Police waited more than two months to disclose information about the case and the arrest because it would have hurt the investigation, he said.

"Even though they are still pursuing leads, this info released won't hinder the investigation," he said.

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