Traffic stop leads to credit card fraud case

A routine traffic stop by a Marathon deputy resulted in the arrest of a Miami man for possessing counterfeit credit cards.

Deputy Seth Hopp was on patrol at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday when he spotted a white Mercedes with a license plate partially obstructed by a black cover around it. He pulled the car over at 55th Street in Marathon. There were five people in the car, including the driver, 26 year old Jose Castro Lorenzo of Miami.

A check on Lorenzo revealed his license was suspended for failure to pay traffic fines.

When the deputy glanced inside the car, he saw a green leafy substance scattered on the floorboards. He also smelled the odor of fresh marijuana inside the vehicle. He had all the occupants exit the vehicle so he could investigate further. A plastic bag with 10 grams of marijuana was found in the rear driver’s side floor board.

A leather bag was found in the car. Inside, Deputy Hopp found nine credit cards in various names from various banks. Also in the bag were seven checks made out to different people. A tenth credit card was in Lorenzo’s wallet, with someone else’s name on the card.

Lorenzo claimed ownership of the bag; he said a person whose name he does not know meets him in a parking lot in Maimi and gives him credit cards along with pin numbers; he then takes the cards to various ATM machines where he withdraws money. He said the same person gives him checks which he deposits. When the checks clear, he withdraws the money. He said he gives all the money from these transactions back to the person who then pays him a small fee.

Lorenzo was arrested and charged with possession of counterfeit credit cards and driving with his license suspended. He was booked into jail.  A passenger in the car, 21 year old Javier Sanrregre of Miami admitted ownership of the marijuana. He was issued a notice to appear in court and was released, along with the other passengers.

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