Jan 22, 2008 12:07 pm US/Eastern
'Female' Suspect Busted In Credit Card Thefts
EXTON, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
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Authorities said Sheldon Hart was dressed as a woman when surveillance cameras caught him using one of the stolen cards at the Exton Mall.
CBS
A tip call led to the arrest of a cross-dressing suspect in
connection with a series of credit card thefts in Chester
County, police said.
Sheldon Hart, 30, was arrested on Saturday after allegedly using stolen credit cards
to purchase over $2,900 worth of merchandise at the Exton Mall.
Authorities said a feminine-looking Hart and a second male suspect were caught
on surveillance cameras while they were shopping.
"I was not looking for that and I think that threw a
lot of people off that may have known him or may have not known him as a woman,"
said Detective Scott Pezick of the West Whiteland Township Police Department. "Indications
are that he has been living as a woman for some time."
Police initially believed they were searching for a bearded male and a blond
female in connection with a series of Christmas-time thefts from stores
throughout the region.
Authorities said the suspects would often enter back areas
of stores in order to gain access to the belongings of workers. The stolen
cards were then used to purchase thousands of dollars in gift cards and a
high-end electronic gaming system.
West Whiteland Police were aided in their investigation by
an anonymous caller who called the police and stated that they had seen the
story on CBS 3 and recognized one of the subjects in the surveillance photos.
"Someone called, said they saw the news report,
recognized the person in the video and they informed me that it was not a
woman, that it was in fact a man," Detective Pezick explained.
Investigators are trying to determine if Hart and the
unknown male suspect were involved in similar thefts throughout the township.
Hart has been charged with identity theft and theft offenses. Police said more
charges could be pending.
Police have not yet identified the second suspect seen in surveillance footage.CBS3.com Editor's Picks:
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