Police arrested a San Jose man Tuesday after he used one of 30 fake credit cards in his possession at a Morgan Hill grocery store, authorities said.
A loss prevention officer at Safeway grocery store on Tennant Avenue notified Morgan Hill police about the man after he used one of the fraudulent credit cards to purchase items at the store, according to a press release from MHPD.
The man, later identified as Keith Brown, 22 of San Jose, was sitting in his car outside Safeway when officers contacted him, police said. He also had a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of DUI, out of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
Police were assisted by Safeway, Star One Credit Union of San Jose and Travis Credit Union of Vacaville to determine that Brown had been using more than 30 stolen credit card account numbers to purchase thousands of dollars worth of gift cards at Safeway stores throughout the Bay Area, police said.
The County’s Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team, a high-tech fraud task force, assisted Morgan Hill detectives with the investigation, according to the press release. Agents think Brown was manufacturing fake credit cards from his home.
Brown was arrested on suspicion of identity theft, burglary and use of a fraudulent credit card, police said.
Police remind residents to periodically check their bank accounts and immediately report any fraudulent activity to the authorities.
Anyone with information about these crimes can contact Morgan Hill Police at (408) 779-2101.
