ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Three people were arrested in Orange County for allegedly operating a credit card theft ring that targeted elderly victims at Home Depot stores all over Florida, WFTV learned Monday.
Apopka police said the trio would use the stolen credit card numbers to buy thousands of dollars in expensive tools and equipment at Home Depot stores.
The suspects stole credit card numbers from people who were born decades ago, according to arresting documents.
Police said surveillance images of the suspects were taken at a Lakeland Home Depot store and then passed out to other stores in Central Florida to warn workers.
A few days ago, an alert worker at an Apopka Home Depot noticed one of the men, Brett Severance, from the surveillance images. The worker called police and stalled the man.
When Apopka police got to the store, the worker told them Severance tried to buy a large amount of copper wire, using a credit card number that he called in.
Police said they then questioned John Mayer and Elizabeth Brown, who were both waiting for Severance in an SUV in the parking lot.
That's when police said they found other credit card numbers and personal information from people born in the 1930s and 1940s.
Two phone books were also collected from the SUV that had names like Elmer, Dorothy and Francis crossed off.
Police believe the trio preyed on older people, perhaps thinking they'd be easier targets.
At least one victim has come forward after more than $1,700 was illegally charged to her credit card.
"I just think you know what, everybody's out to get their own cheap dollar. You know what I mean? The man commits the crime he does the time," said Severance's neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous.
All three suspects are being held at the Orange County Jail.
Police said there's an undetermined amount of victims.
WFTV
