If you used AAA roadside service in Atlantic or Cape May Counties in the last few years, you may have had your credit card compromised by an employee of a local towing company.

Atlantic City Police say an eight-week investigation has uncovered some fraudulent activities and has resulted in three people being arrested.

Atlantic City Police say this is what happened:

On September 12, the owner of City Wide Towing located in the 2400 block of Fairmount Avenue alerted detectives to suspicious activity from an employee.  The employee, William Reyes, was fraudulently using personal information from AAA Roadside Assistance customers in Atlantic and Cape May counties.  The AAA customers would provide personal information to Reyes who would make purchases using the customer’s credit cards and create fake accounts with online websites.  Upon learning of the activity, Reyes was fired from the company.

An investigation led by Detective Ann McGlynn of the Financial Crimes Unit identified at least 20 victims through an inspection of the office computer and other resources.  Reyes was purchasing a large amount of items including clothes, shoes, jewelry, and car parts.  Detective McGlynn identified two addresses where items were being sent to and a second involved person, Alexander Rosario.

On November 7, simultaneous search warrants were executed at a residence in the 200 block of north Kentucky Avenue and Federal Court in Galloway, NJ.  At the residence on Kentucky Avenue, detectives arrested Reyes and Elizabeth Cruz.  They also recovered evidence of known purchases that were made.  At the residence on Federal court, detectives arrested Rosario and recovered evidence of known purchases, 115 grams of cocaine, paraphernalia consistent with distributing narcotics, and more than $22,000 in cash.

Heres' who have been arrested:

  • William Reyes,44, of Atlantic City. He's charged with  theft of identity, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card, conspiracy, and money laundering.
  •  Elizabeth Cruz, 47 of Atlantic City. She's charged with receiving stolen property.
  • Alexander Rosario, 39, of Galloway. He's charged with conspiracy to commit theft, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), possession with intent to distribute CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.

Police say all three have been released pending a court date.

Here's what police say about AAA customers:

Anyone that used AAA Roadside Assistance within Atlantic or Cape May counties with suspicious credit card activity from 2016 to the present is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411).  Begin the text with ACPD.

 

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