Although two illegal immigrants were recently arrested on 126 criminal charges related to debit card fraud to purchase over $1,000.00 worth of diesel fuel, the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department says they’re discovering the problem is larger, and more widespread than originally thought.
Sheriff Sam Craft’s office released a statement saying that investigators are now working several cases, one of which occurred at a store where nearly $5,000.00 worth of diesel fuel was purchased through fraud over the span of three nights.
Craft said he wants store owners and clerks to know what to look out for.
Craft says the thieves are purchasing the fuel at locations that have 24-hour unmanned fuel pumps, or during regular business hours. Craft said “Store clerks should be vigilant if they observe a customer making a large purchase of fuel using more than one credit card. These suspects will use multiple credit cards at the pump to purchase fuel to fill a tank in the back of their vehicle.”
According to Craft, the majority of the crimes are being committed by Hispanic males involved in an organized theft ring.
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