Landscaper with a Payment Scanning Device Is Arrested at a Gas Station
Photo: Stock Image
LARKSPUR —Central Marin Police Authority is investigating to determine victims of identity theft, following an arrest involving a payment card scanner. Jose Manuel Primero-Aguilar, a 21- year-old landscaper from Richmond, was booked into Marin County Jail.
Suspicious activity was reported at Marin Gas & Auto Services, 600 Magnolia Avenue in Larkspur. Central Marin Police arrested Primero-Aguilar there on January 17 at 5:28 p.m. An identity check revealed his probation status in Contra Costa County. He has prior convictions for carrying a loaded firearm and motor vehicle theft.
Officers found in his possession a scanning device used for extracting data from magnetic strips on payment cards. Gas station “skimming” an illegal practice used for identity theft is common throughout the San Francisco Bay area.
Officers also found other evidence of criminal activity. Primero-Aguilar had in his possession burglary tools and suspicious gift cards. In a prepared statement Central Marin Police Authority said. “Four large containers of gasoline were located in the suspect’s truck, which was towed as evidence.”
“Many of our citizens, as well as a Central Marin police officer, have been victims of this crime in the last few months.”
Primero-Aguilar remains behind county bars in lieu of $10,000 bond. He faces open charges including felony grand theft PC 487. He was also booked for two misdemeanors: One for possession of burglary tools PC 466, one for possession of a scanning device PC 502.6(A).
