Topline: A suspect has been charged with felony access device fraud in relation to an alleged jewelry store fraud scheme, where a high-dollar item was fraudulently purchased using a credit card associated with a fraudulent account.
Published: May 9, 2023 8:00 am ET
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James Theodore Searcy. Mugshot provided by the Allegheny County Jail. Background photo credit: Bruce Emmerling / Pixabay.
Name: James Theodore Searcy
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Agency: Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County
Court: Magisterial District Court 05-2-12
Docket Number: MJ-05212-CR-0000073-2023
Date Filed: March 21, 2023
Bail: $2,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail. Note: bail was posted the same day by Liberty Bail Bonds.
Criminal Charges
- Access device fraud (Felony 3)
- Possessiong instruments of a crime (Misdemeanor 1)
Affidavit of Probable Cause
Your affiant, Ismael Lopez, is a patrolman for the Northern Regional Police Department (NRPD). On Tuesday, 03/21/2023, I was assigned to Daylight (7a-7p), operating a marked NRPD police cruiser (64), in full uniform.
At approx 1116hrs, I was dispatched to ███████ Jewelers located in Marshall Township for a report of a fraudulent purchase in progress. I arrived on scene and spoke with both the complainant, the owner of the Jewelry store, and James Theodore SEARCY.
The complaint stated that SEARCY inquired about purchasing several high dollar items over the phone yesterday on Monday, 03/20/2023, and found it suspicious when he agreed to the purchase of a “Rolex Grey Dial Oyster” valued at $13,890.00 (TOTAL: $14,862.30) via the phone without interest in looking at the product. The complaint stated that SEARCY attempted to use a CHASE credit card ending in 5634, but the transaction was declined. The complaint called SEARCY back, but he would not answer the phone. The complaint stated that he told SEARCY via text that the charge went through in order to get SEARCY to reply. SEARCY replied alleging that he can see that the charge went through and inquired about picking up the item on today’s date. The complaint stated that this alerted him into this purchase possibly being fraudulent because the charge never went through.
On today’s date, SEARCY arrived at ███████ to attempt and retrieve the watch. The complaint attempted to run the card again, which was declined.
Upon my arrival, I asked to see the CHASE credit card, and SEARCY stated that he did not have it on his person. SEARCY stated that he only had an image of the card on his phone. SEARCY showed a low-quality image of a CHASE credit card ending in 5634 with his name on it that was on his cell phone to Officer Posa. SEARCY claimed he opened the account a month ago, but did not have access to the CHASE app, statements or any other information pertaining to the credit card. When asked how he “knew” the charge went through he stated he saw “bank statements.” It is noted that the card was never charge, it declined each time.
I contacted CHASE’s fraud department, and spoke with two separate representatives, who stated that SEARCY’s name had no association with the account pertaining to the credit card ending in 5634, and that they were flagging the purchase as fraud. I advised SEARCY that CHASE is stating that his name has no association with the credit card, he replied “it’s mine.”
Based on the foregoing facts, circumstances surrounding the case, as well as my training and experience and investigation to date, I have reason to believe enough probable cause exists to support these charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Jewelry Store Fraud: Suspect Charged with Felony Access Device Fraud
A suspect has been charged with felony access device fraud in relation to an alleged jewelry store fraud scheme, where a high-dollar item was fraudulently purchased using a credit card associated with a fraudulent account.
By Staff Reports
Published: May 9, 2023 8:00 am ET
James Theodore Searcy. Mugshot provided by the Allegheny County Jail. Background photo credit: Bruce Emmerling / Pixabay.
Name: James Theodore Searcy
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Agency: Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County
Court: Magisterial District Court 05-2-12
Docket Number: MJ-05212-CR-0000073-2023
Date Filed: March 21, 2023
Bail: $2,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail. Note: bail was posted the same day by Liberty Bail Bonds.
Criminal Charges
- Access device fraud (Felony 3)
- Possessiong instruments of a crime (Misdemeanor 1)
Affidavit of Probable Cause
Your affiant, Ismael Lopez, is a patrolman for the Northern Regional Police Department (NRPD). On Tuesday, 03/21/2023, I was assigned to Daylight (7a-7p), operating a marked NRPD police cruiser (64), in full uniform.
At approx 1116hrs, I was dispatched to ███████ Jewelers located in Marshall Township for a report of a fraudulent purchase in progress. I arrived on scene and spoke with both the complainant, the owner of the Jewelry store, and James Theodore SEARCY.
The complaint stated that SEARCY inquired about purchasing several high dollar items over the phone yesterday on Monday, 03/20/2023, and found it suspicious when he agreed to the purchase of a “Rolex Grey Dial Oyster” valued at $13,890.00 (TOTAL: $14,862.30) via the phone without interest in looking at the product. The complaint stated that SEARCY attempted to use a CHASE credit card ending in 5634, but the transaction was declined. The complaint called SEARCY back, but he would not answer the phone. The complaint stated that he told SEARCY via text that the charge went through in order to get SEARCY to reply. SEARCY replied alleging that he can see that the charge went through and inquired about picking up the item on today’s date. The complaint stated that this alerted him into this purchase possibly being fraudulent because the charge never went through.
On today’s date, SEARCY arrived at ███████ to attempt and retrieve the watch. The complaint attempted to run the card again, which was declined.
Upon my arrival, I asked to see the CHASE credit card, and SEARCY stated that he did not have it on his person. SEARCY stated that he only had an image of the card on his phone. SEARCY showed a low-quality image of a CHASE credit card ending in 5634 with his name on it that was on his cell phone to Officer Posa. SEARCY claimed he opened the account a month ago, but did not have access to the CHASE app, statements or any other information pertaining to the credit card. When asked how he “knew” the charge went through he stated he saw “bank statements.” It is noted that the card was never charge, it declined each time.
I contacted CHASE’s fraud department, and spoke with two separate representatives, who stated that SEARCY’s name had no association with the account pertaining to the credit card ending in 5634, and that they were flagging the purchase as fraud. I advised SEARCY that CHASE is stating that his name has no association with the credit card, he replied “it’s mine.”
Based on the foregoing facts, circumstances surrounding the case, as well as my training and experience and investigation to date, I have reason to believe enough probable cause exists to support these charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Jewelry Store Fraud: Suspect Charged with Felony Access Device Fraud
A suspect has been charged with felony access device fraud in relation to an alleged jewelry store fraud scheme, where a high-dollar item was fraudulently purchased using a credit card associated with a fraudulent account.
By Staff Reports
Published: May 9, 2023 8:00 am ET
James Theodore Searcy. Mugshot provided by the Allegheny County Jail. Background photo credit: Bruce Emmerling / Pixabay.
Name: James Theodore Searcy
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Agency: Northern Regional Police Department of Allegheny County
Court: Magisterial District Court 05-2-12
Docket Number: MJ-05212-CR-0000073-2023
Date Filed: March 21, 2023
Bail: $2,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail. Note: bail was posted the same day by Liberty Bail Bonds.
Criminal Charges
- Access device fraud (Felony 3)
- Possessiong instruments of a crime (Misdemeanor 1)
Affidavit of Probable Cause
Your affiant, Ismael Lopez, is a patrolman for the Northern Regional Police Department (NRPD). On Tuesday, 03/21/2023, I was assigned to Daylight (7a-7p), operating a marked NRPD police cruiser (64), in full uniform.
At approx 1116hrs, I was dispatched to ███████ Jewelers located in Marshall Township for a report of a fraudulent purchase in progress. I arrived on scene and spoke with both the complainant, the owner of the Jewelry store, and James Theodore SEARCY.
The complaint stated that SEARCY inquired about purchasing several high dollar items over the phone yesterday on Monday, 03/20/2023, and found it suspicious when he agreed to the purchase of a “Rolex Grey Dial Oyster” valued at $13,890.00 (TOTAL: $14,862.30) via the phone without interest in looking at the product. The complaint stated that SEARCY attempted to use a CHASE credit card ending in 5634, but the transaction was declined. The complaint called SEARCY back, but he would not answer the phone. The complaint stated that he told SEARCY via text that the charge went through in order to get SEARCY to reply. SEARCY replied alleging that he can see that the charge went through and inquired about picking up the item on today’s date. The complaint stated that this alerted him into this purchase possibly being fraudulent because the charge never went through.
On today’s date, SEARCY arrived at ███████ to attempt and retrieve the watch. The complaint attempted to run the card again, which was declined.
Upon my arrival, I asked to see the CHASE credit card, and SEARCY stated that he did not have it on his person. SEARCY stated that he only had an image of the card on his phone. SEARCY showed a low-quality image of a CHASE credit card ending in 5634 with his name on it that was on his cell phone to Officer Posa. SEARCY claimed he opened the account a month ago, but did not have access to the CHASE app, statements or any other information pertaining to the credit card. When asked how he “knew” the charge went through he stated he saw “bank statements.” It is noted that the card was never charge, it declined each time.
I contacted CHASE’s fraud department, and spoke with two separate representatives, who stated that SEARCY’s name had no association with the account pertaining to the credit card ending in 5634, and that they were flagging the purchase as fraud. I advised SEARCY that CHASE is stating that his name has no association with the credit card, he replied “it’s mine.”
Based on the foregoing facts, circumstances surrounding the case, as well as my training and experience and investigation to date, I have reason to believe enough probable cause exists to support these charges.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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