Two people are wanted by West Homestead police after allegedly using a stolen credit card to buy just over $14,300 worth of Apple products at the Costco in the Waterfront shopping center on Saturday. Investigators say the pair used false identifications in connection with two memberships at the store and used the stolen card to make the purchase.
The West Homestead Police Department is asking the public for help identifying the two suspects, according to WPXI. Police say the suspects used the stolen card to obtain the Apple merchandise, and that the two memberships opened at the store were reportedly tied to fake IDs. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Homestead police at 412-461-1844 ext. 2, and callers may remain anonymous.
Why Apple Products Are a Favorite Target
The AppleInsider report discusses several Apple-related crime incidents. A similar case surfaced in Utah just last month, where authorities charged a suspect in a multi-store Costco fraud scheme that used tap-to-pay stolen credit cards to acquire nearly $19,787 worth of Apple and Nintendo products, per KSL.com.
The alleged purchase took place at a Costco warehouse club. The West Homestead case is not the first time law enforcement has investigated retail crime at this particular store; CBS News reported that West Homestead police looked into a March 2023 theft at the same Waterfront Costco location involving stolen designer eyewear frames and cash.
Steep Penalties Under Pennsylvania Law
The alleged purchase totaled just over $14,300. Using a stolen or unauthorized credit card to obtain property valued at $500 or more constitutes a third-degree felony under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4106, according to the Marinaro Law Firm.
Pennsylvania law also allows prosecutors to aggregate the total fraudulent amount across a single course of conduct when determining how charges are graded, per FindLaw. The report separately describes the use of false identifications to open two store memberships and the use of a stolen card to obtain goods.
A Retail Hub Spanning Three Boroughs
The Waterfront shopping center is the location of the Costco involved in this case. West Homestead police are investigating alleged activity at that location.
The case involves the alleged use of a stolen credit card and false identifications.
West Homestead police have not released descriptions of the two suspects or additional details about how the stolen card was obtained. Anyone with information that could help identify the pair is urged to reach out to investigators, with anonymity available for those who prefer not to give their name.
