Police are getting involved after a Twin Cities man turned into an amateur detective to find out who stole his debit card -- and he developed some solid leads.
"On Monday morning, I got a call from the credit card company that there could be some suspicious activity on my card," said Dave, of Bloomington.
It's the last phone call that anyone wants to get -- but at first, Dave wasn't sure if he'd been a victim of identity theft or a stolen credit card.
"When I checked my wallet, there was no card. So, I knew there was someone who had possibly picked it up somehow, and I'm not sure how," he told FOX 9 News.
Yet, when most people would just call the bank and cancel the card, Dave went online to check and see where his card had been used. He found purchases at a gas station and grocery store in Bloomington and an Old Country Buffet in Richfield.
"When I contacted the restaurant, they had felt some regret that they had allowed someone to use my card without authorization -- but they did explain that they had video footage of this that I could take a review of if I was curious as to who did this to me," Dave recalled.
That electronic paper trail eventually gave him a clear picture of who had been using his card, and he uploaded that surveillance photo to Facebook. Now, Bloomington police are trying to track down that thief.
"If you lose a credit card, that's not a crime," explained Rick Hart, of the Bloomington Police Department. "It is a crime for someone to pick up a credit card and use it fraudulently."
In all, the man seen in the picture is suspected of racking up six to eight charges totaling less than $300. Still, Dave said he's surprised that the thief was so bold given that many establishments have surveillance cameras.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective. Broen, of the Bloomington Police Department, at 952-563-8800.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:01:11 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:44:14 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Flickr/Creative Commons/DeclanTM
