Woman steals credit info
, Managing Editor
12-16-2008
Online purchases made with stolen credit cards
Obtaining Direct Energy customers’ credit card information while working as a customer service representative at the local Alliance Data Systems call center, an Ennis woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly using the stolen credit card numbers to make purchases online.
Det. Sgt. Mike Hopson said on Nov. 18 it was reported to Ennis police that a Houston man’s credit card number had been compromised and was used at a local retail store. Police were informed that a woman had used the stolen credit information in an attempt to rent some party supplies. As a result of questioning the local business and receiving statements from complainants, Hopson was able to identify the suspect, who was Amber Lockhart, 20, of Ennis.
Hopson got an arrest warrant for Lockhart and was about to execute the warrant when Det. Lt. Ron Roark and Det. Sgt. Paul Asby were put on a case that was another stolen credit information incident. It was determined Lockhart was again the suspect for the second incident.
Ennis police were contacted regarding an upcoming delivery to Lockhart from UPS that was made with stolen credit information and local law enforcement made a controlled delivery that caught Lockhart on film accepting and signing for the illegal property. Asby was put in a UPS uniform and assisted an authentic UPS deliverer to Lockhart’s residence at 709 N. Ripley St.
The arrest warrant was executed and Lockhart was taken into custody. The occupants of Lockhart’s residence refused to allow police to search the home until a warrant was issued, which Hopson was able to obtain later that day.
While Det. Sgt. Jason York was waiting at the residence for the search warrant to be executed, he observed a second delivery from Fed Ex to Lockhart’s home of items purchased with stolen credit card information.
Hopson said Lockhart has stolen the credit card information of at least three Direct Energy customers while she worked at Alliance Data Systems. He also reported Lockhart has received 12 illegal deliveries in the last two months using the stolen credit information.
Public urination, drug arrests made
Two men were taken into custody outside the Wooden Nickel Friday morning when Ennis police found the suspects to be intoxicated and peeing on the sidewalk.
According to Det. Sgt. Mike Hopson, at 1:17 a.m. while on routine patrol officer Justyn Wilder observed two men coming out of the local bar, located at 111 W. Ennis Ave., fighting with one another. The two men turned the corner onto SW. Main Street and when Wilder caught up with the suspects he observed them peeing in the street. Wilder shown a light on the men, but they continued urinating.
Hopson said Wilder noticed the men had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and an odor of alcohol coming from their breath. The two men were taken into custody and transported to Ennis police department.
While arresting the men, Wilder noticed one of the suspects clutching a blue bag. When Wilder tried to take the bag out of the suspect’s hand the man clenched tighter and refused to give it up. Wilder was able to eventually take the bag away and discovered it to contain a white powdery substance, later identified as cocaine, according to Hopson.
Christopher Torres, 35, of Ennis was charged with possession of controlled substance and public intoxication.
Jose Martinez, 34, of Ennis was charged with disorderly conduct urinating in public and out of town warrants, which were discovered when Martinez was identified.
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