A traffic stop in Grand Island, Nebraska, led police to stolen credit and debit cards, gift cards, gaming systems, drug paraphernalia, and three people now facing fraud-related charges.
The stop happened Tuesday after a Grand Island police officer saw a white Lexus run a red light at Webb Road and North Front Street, according to NTV News.
The vehicle later stopped in the Hy-Vee parking lot. Police said the driver was Jeisson Abril Beltran, and four people were inside the car.
The case soon connected to a missing wallet. Police said an 80-year-old woman reported that her wallet was gone after she had been at Hobby Lobby and then went to Super Saver North. By the time officers were investigating the traffic stop, police said her stolen cards had already been used at Walmart North.
The Cards Were Allegedly Used At Walmart North
According to an arrest affidavit cited by NTV News, officers found multiple Apple and Visa gift cards inside the vehicle, along with electronic gaming systems and stolen credit and debit cards.
The affidavit said the stolen cards were used to buy gift cards and gaming systems at Walmart North in Grand Island.
Investigators determined that Angie Roncancio Pineda, Wilson Cruz Guzman, and Michel Reyes Cadena used the stolen credit and debit cards to buy $2,111 worth of items, according to the affidavit. Police said Abril Beltran drove the group to make the purchases.
NTV News reported that Roncancio Pineda allegedly tried to hide stolen credit cards in the floorboard of the car, but Grand Island police caught her doing it.
Three People Face Charges
Beltran is charged in Hall County Court with aiding and abetting unauthorized use of a financial device, criminal conspiracy, theft by receiving stolen property, no driver’s license, and a stop-light violation, according to NTV News.
Cruz Guzman is charged with unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, theft by receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy, criminal impersonation, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Roncancio Pineda is charged with unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, theft by receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy, and tampering with evidence.
Cadena was arrested on an immigration hold, NTV News reported. Central Nebraska Today reported that no criminal charges were filed against her in connection with the traffic stop.
The Traffic Stop Added Drug And Identity Questions
Police said they smelled marijuana after making contact with the vehicle in the Hy-Vee parking lot. According to the affidavit cited by NTV News, Cruz Guzman was found with marijuana paraphernalia.
Central Nebraska Today reported that the people in the car were not providing valid identity information, and police used ICE facial recognition assistance to identify them.
KSNB reported that police said three of the suspects were caught on surveillance making purchases with the stolen cards at Walmart North.
The allegations against Beltran, Cruz Guzman, and Roncancio Pineda have not been proven in court.
For shoppers, the case shows how quickly a stolen wallet can turn into multiple purchases. Police say the cards were already tied to gift cards and gaming systems by the time a red-light stop brought the vehicle to officers’ attention.