March 13, 2007
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NEWS: Pair of Tucson Credit Cards Thieves CaughtTucson, Arizona police apprehended Mehl Melton, 46, and Victoria Davis, 40, this week with thousands of dollars in electronics purchased with stolen credit cards. The prolific pair have been breaking into cars around the city for the better part of a month, say authorities, sometimes at the rate of two or three a day. They were then using credit cards gleaned from the thefts to buy pricey electronics at local stores to barter for cash or drugs. Police also seized crack cocaine and other drug paraphernalia from the house.
Police raided the house after two separate reports of electronics retail store employees taking down the license plate number of the pair's vehicle after their purchases were noted to be suspicious. Video surveillance footage was also examined after one woman began canceling her credit cards in the wake of her purse being stolen and discovering a fraudulent charge made on her card to a nearby Best Buy store. The raid on Melton and Davis's home turned up many of the reported stolen cards, a pile of electronics purchases, and documentation leading to other victims.
The two were arrested and booked on suspicion of theft and trafficking stolen goods. A police spokesperson said that additional charges are expected as investigators look further into the case. So far, 12 victims have been identified in connection with the incident.