EUFAULA, Ala. (WRBL) – Several students at Lakeside School are facing felony charges, after allegedly stealing other students’ debit/credit card numbers and using the information to purchase thousands of dollars worth of items, including including expensive sneakers.
Eufaula investigators say the card numbers were obtained from a common athlete area. The suspects allegedly searched a classmate’s personal belongings, found the cards, took pictures of them and made purchases. Card numbers were shared with other students involved in the theft network so they could also make purchases.
The four arrested suspects are between 14 and 17 years old and another arrest could take place. Five victims have been identified so far, although more compromised accounts may be uncovered.
“Over 200 unauthorized transactions were made on a victim’s card. Fraudulent purchases totaling nearly $5,000 were made on cards and accounts, with the suspects receiving the illegally obtained goods. Part of the property has been reclaimed,” Chief Steve Watkins said.
During the investigation, Eufaula detectives discovered that unauthorized purchases had been taking place since the last school year.
All suspects were arrested for fraudulent use of a credit card, which is a felony in Alabama. Juvenile petitions have been obtained and juvenile court proceedings are ongoing.
The names of the suspects will not be compromised or released to anyone due to their juvenile status.
If anyone has additional information helpful in this case, please contact the Eufaula Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 334-687-1200 or the Anonymous Tip Line at 334-6897-7100.