Dine and dash leads to multiple fraud charges

A 44-year-old Marathon man was arrested Friday after a dine and dash investigation linked him to larger fraud-based crimes.

Justin Matthew Rule was charged with theft, fraud, illegal use of personal ID without consent, using public records to commit a felony, operating a motorcycle without an endorsement and using fraudulent information to obtain a title.

The case began on Thursday when Rule and 40-year-old Tina Rea McDaniel ate at Chico’s Cantina on Stock Island and then fled on a motorcycle without paying. The owner of the business was able to get a picture of the tag on the motorcycle.

Detective Antonio Guieb was assigned to investigate. Detective Guieb called the person’s name linked to the tag number. That person agreed to meet Detective Guieb at a construction site on Stock Island where he was working. The construction worker said his vehicle was broken into not long ago and his driver’s license, social security card, debit card and credit card were all stolen.

The victim further stated he received a call from a Harley-Davidson dealership shortly thereafter congratulating him on his recent purchase of a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The victim told the dealership that he never purchased a motorcycle and this was a case of identity theft and fraud.

Detective Guieb confirmed that information with the motorcycle dealership, who stated the sale was currently being reviewed by their fraud division.

On Friday, Deputy Ed Swogger located the motorcycle with both suspects on U.S. 1 near Mile Marker 21.

The construction worker’s social security card was found in a satchel attached to the motorcycle.

Rule and McDaniel were taken to jail.

McDaniel was charged with theft and fraud in relation to the Chico’s Cantina incident.

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