Man accused in credit card skimming thefts granted bail

ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando man who was arrested for allegedly stealing credit card information from people at local restaurants was granted bail during his court hearing Tuesday morning.

Police said Josue Morales, 33, was using servers at local restaurants to skim people's credit cards.

Prosecutors outlined his extensive criminal history when arguing over the bail issue, but to no avail.

According to police, officers searched Morales' home and found evidence of the fraud. Officers also said they found two guns, one of which was reported stolen.

Orlando police said they made the bust after investigating complaints from two former law enforcement members who had their credit cards stolen at Too Jay's restaurant in Orlando.

Detectives said they determined Morales used a waitress at the restaurant to skim credit card numbers and then made fake credit cards to go on spending sprees, buying clothes and jewelry.

“They’re skimming the credit cards and selling the information back to him,” said Sgt. Jim Young.

In at least one instance, investigators said they believe Morales paid a waitress $10 to skim each credit card.

"Based upon the evidence recovered in the search warrant, Morales was conducting widespread identity theft on potentially hundreds of victims," said a prosecutor.

Police haven’t charged the waitress at this time, but the restaurant fired her last week.

“We want to make sure we maintain a trust with our guests out there,” said Christopher Seymour of TooJay’s restaurant.

A judge set Morales' bail at $50,000.

Police said 32 additional victims have come forward since WFTV broke the story Monday night.

“There most likely will be other arrests,” said Young. “We’re still looking at who was involved and their involvement in this case.”

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim is asked to call the Orlando Police Department.

Morales was still in the Orange County Jail Tuesday evening.

WFTV