On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Bloomington police posted a series of photos asking the public to help identify a person they say used stolen payment cards to make purchases at multiple locations. The department said it shared the images to speed up identification and to help victims recover their losses. Investigators are urging anyone with information to call or email the detective assigned to the case and to avoid approaching the person themselves.
Police Share Photos And Contact Details
According to the Bloomington Police Department on Facebook, Detective Rob Shrake is asking for the public's help identifying the person pictured, saying the individual is suspected of using stolen cards to make purchases at several businesses on or about May 5. The post included contact information for tips and noted that investigators are following leads tied to the transactions.
How To Pass Along Tips
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Rob Shrake at 812-349-3352 or by email at [email protected], per the city directory and past reporting. The City of Bloomington lists Shrake among department investigators, and local outlets have used the same tip line when covering investigations. Police also asked anyone who captured video or has receipts showing suspicious transactions to preserve that evidence and share it with detectives.
Card Fraud Trends And Local Impact
Credit-card identity theft remains the single largest category of identity theft nationwide, with the Federal Trade Commission recording roughly 449,000 credit-card identity-theft reports in 2024, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reporting that losses tied to internet-enabled fraud topped about $16 billion last year. The Federal Trade Commission and the IC3 annual report together help explain why investigators often lean on public tips and commercial surveillance footage to track down questionable transactions.
If You Were Affected
If you believe your card was used without authorization, authorities say you should contact your card issuer immediately to report fraud and file a report at IdentityTheft.gov so you receive a recovery plan and an official record for creditors. Officers also advise against confronting anyone in the photos. Instead, call 812-349-3352 or the department's non-emergency line so investigators can follow up safely.
