A California man is charged with using an electronic device in trying to manipulate a credit card terminal at a Mitchell business.
On July 22nd the Mitchell Police Department received report of a suspicious male subject who was at a Mitchell business. It was reported that the male was using a black colored electronic device, along with a credit card, to try to purchase merchandise. The male subject appeared to have tried to manipulate a credit card terminal using the electronic device in order to fraudulently make a purchase. The male subject was not able to complete the purchase and he left the business. The same male subject returned to the same Mitchell business on Tuesday afternoon and was detained by Mitchell Police Officers. The electronic device used by the male subject was recovered at the scene after an Officer saw the man inserting the device into the credit card terminal. The subject was detained.
Officers executed a search warrant on the subject’s car and at a residence where he had apparently been staying the last several days in the 900 block of North Main. During a search of the residence, less than 2 grams of what authorities believe is methamphetamine, less than 2 ounces of what appears to be marijuana, several items of drug paraphernalia, along with a computer and other electronic devices were found.
As a result of this investigation, 39-year-old California resident Reese Timothy Rose and the apartment renter 38-year-old Mitchell resident Jennifer Anne Rydel were arrested for the following offenses:
-Unauthorized Possession of a Schedule 1 or 2 Controlled Substance in violation of S.D.C.L. 22-42-5
-Possession of Less Than 2 ounces of marijuana in violation of S.D.C.L. 22-42-6
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of S.D.C.L. 22-42A-3
-In addition, Rose was arrested for Possession of a Scanning Device With Intent to Obtain or Alter Payment Card Information in violation of S.D.C.L. 22-40-14.
Rose confessed to using the black electronic device, that had a stolen credit card number stored on it, to try to purchase items at the store, and at other Mitchell area businesses.
Unauthorized Possession of A Controlled in Schedule 1 or 2, is a Class 5 Felony punishable by 5 years imprisonment in the state penitentiary and or a fine of $10,000. Possession of Less Than 2 Ounces of Marijuana is a Class 1 Misdemeanor punishable by one year imprisonment in a county jail and/or a $2,000 fine on each count. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia is a Class 2 Misdameanor punishable by 30 days imprisonment in a county jail and/or a $500 fine. Possession of a Scanning Device With Intent to Obtain or Alter Payment Card Information is a Class 6 Felony punishable by 2 years imprisonment in the state penitentiary and or a fine of $4,000.
The Davison County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation. Other charges are possible. This is an ongoing investigation.
If someone attempts to manipulate a credit card terminal, or handle it any any way that is out of the norm, such actions should be viewed as suspicious and law enforcement should be notified immediately. Electronic devices can be placed on to credit card terminals to capture data and/or to facilitate Identity Theft.