A brazen thief who allegedly went on a shopping spree with a stolen credit card has been nabbed, authorities in Chino Hills said. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Joseph Fullen of Moreno Valley, didn't realize his financial folly was caught on camera when he used the victim's credit card at the Best Buy in Riverside, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.
Officials reported that the victim's car was broken into overnight on December 6th, and among the items swiped were an ID, a credit card, and various law enforcement-related equipment. The surveillance at Best Buy later the same day caught Fullen red-handed as he made an unauthorized purchase, and the eagle-eyed deputies Julio Vasconcelos and Zachary George used this footage to tie Fullen to the crime after his Ford Flex was spotted on tape.
Acting on a warrant, deputies arrested Fullen on December 9th, and a search ensued that led to the recovery of most of the stolen property. This successful operation was conducted by Riverside County deputies stationed in Moreno Valley, as they detailed in their report.
The Chino Hills Police are still on the lookout for additional information that could relate to this case or uncover other victims, yet Fullen now faces charges for vehicle burglary and the fraudulent use of a credit card, according to the sheriff's announcement published on Nixle. Local residents with knowledge of the incident or similar crimes have been encouraged to step forward and reach out to the authorities, ensuring that any puzzle pieces not yet in place can be properly situated.
The Chino Hills Police Department is available at (909) 364-2000 for any tips, and individuals wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or they also have the option to leave information through the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com. In a battle against the unseen crimes of the night, it is the vigilant eyes of the public and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement that hold the line, concealing the heralds of justice within our midst.
