PRESS RELEASE
Man Arrested for Fake Credit Cards
On August 6, 2013, Morgan Hill Police Department Officers arrested Keith Brown, 22, of San Jose after he used one of his 30 fraudulent credit cards at the Safeway store on Tennant Avenue. A Safeway Loss Prevention Officer notified police who were in the area and contacted Brown sitting inside his vehicle parked just in front of the store.
Brown was also had an outstanding DUI warrant out of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department.
Morgan Hill Police Department received assistance from Safeway Loss Prevention, Star One Credit Union of San Jose, CA and Travis Credit Union of Vacaville, CA to verify that Brown had used over 30 stolen credit card account numbers to purchase thousands of dollars worth of gift cards at several Safeway stores throughout the Bay Area.
Santa Clara County Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) hi-tech/fraud task force assisted Detectives with the investigation. REACT agents interviewed Brown. Agents believe Brown was manufacturing fake credit cards from his home.
Brown was arrested on charges of 530.5(c)(3—Identity theft, 459PC—burglary and 484(f)—use of fraudulent credit card.
This investigation is another example of how agencies from the private loss prevention and public law enforcement sectors can complement one another in an effort reduce incidents of theft and fraud.
Morgan Hill Police Department would like to remind citizens to periodically check their bank accounts and immediately report any fraudulent activity to the appropriate entities.
Anyone with information regarding these cases can contact Detective Scott Martin at (408) 779-2101.
