Police Hunt for Fraud Suspects

Police Hunt for Fraud Suspects

San Luis Obispo Police are searching for two suspects who have been using fraudulent credit cards recently.

According to SLOPD, they received reports in February from four local businesses that claim two people had used fraudulent credit cards and identifications to rent items with the intention of not returning them. One suspect identified himself with a California driver’s license as John Powell.

The suspect rented a $500 Honda generator from the Rental Depot, 202 Tank Farm Road, using a pre-paid credit card. The Rental Depot states the generator was never returned, and when they ran the credit card, it proved to be fraudulent. The suspect is described as a heavy-set White or Hispanic male in his mid-to-late- 30s with black hair, who was wearing hospital scrubs during the theft.

The suspects caught on surveillance video

The suspects caught on surveillance video

Another incident involved a suspect who also used the name John Powell. He a woman walked into Wally’s Bicycles, 306 Higuera St., and rented a $2,500 bicycle for $75 using a pre-paid credit card. This suspect also wore hospital scrubs and stated he worked at Sierra Vista Hospital.

When the bicycle was not returned, the store attempted to charge the credit card and the charge was rejected. Wally’s Bicycle store provided the police department with their video footage of the suspects and vehicle.

According to the video, the suspects arrived at the store driving a newer gray or silver Dodge minivan with what appears to have Cole Chrysler Dodge paper plates on the vehicle.

Police say the second suspect’s description was similar to the first incident’s suspect. However, police say there was a third suspect who is described as a thin White or Hispanic female, between 30-40 years old with long brown hair pulled back. The couple was also with a brown dog, possibly a Labrador.

Read More:

CalCoastNews: SLO rental shops ripped off

KCOY: SLO police looking for couple

Police Hunt for Fraud Suspects was last modified: March 9th, 2015 by admin
Categories: San Luis Obispo

About Author

Ben Banuchi

Ben Banuchi has been a journalist in the Atascadero/Paso Robles area since 2002, and is currently a freelance writer and reporter. He can be contacted at bbanuchi@unitedreporting.com