The streets of Larkspur became a hotspot for crime scene activity on Wednesday, as Central Marin Police Officers swooped in to address a suspicious case at Marin Gas. Operating on a tip, the officers were poised to tackle an instance of "skimming," a high-tech thievery plaguing unsuspecting cardholders, the Central Marin Police said.
Cops were quick to quickly confront a suspect on the scene, who was already flagged by the law, being on active probation from Contra Costa County for theft-related misdemeanors. Their search unveiled a cache of illicit wares—gift cards, burglary tools, and a sinister device crafted to clandestinely steal credit card data from the magnetic strips unsuspecting shoppers trust in. "The suspect was found to be in possession of burglary tools and a scanning device," officers stated on Facebook.
The suspect's truck became a treasure trove of evidence with the discovery of four large canisters brimming with gasoline — an indication this was more than just a solitary act of skimming. In response to this discovery, law enforcement swiftly acted to tow and store the vehicle as evidence in the unfolding investigation.
Apprehended and slammed with charges, including grand theft and the unlawful possession of a scanning device, the bootlegger was packed off to Marin County Jail to await judgment. "The suspect was arrested and booked into Marin County Jail," the report adds, nodding to the culmination of an operation geared to not just simply arrest but to unravel the broader web of identity theft victimizing Bay Area residents in recent months.
Detectives from Central Marin will maintain vigilance, continuing to burrow through the evidence and hopefully shine a light on a larger network of identity theft perpetrators.
