The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect connected to a string of fraudulent credit card transactions across Hillsborough County.
Between October 21, 2019 to November 13, 2019, Ronald Christian Jr., 25, and two other accomplices obtained a victim's personal information to open two credit card accounts. Detectives discovered Christian Jr., along with Richard Carter, 26, and Derrick Powell Jr., 21, used the credit cards at local Winn Dixie and Walmart stores. The suspects spent more than $18,000 in fraudulent purchases.
After receiving credit card statements reflecting these unknown charges, the victim filed a fraud report with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The victim told detectives they saw two men stealing their mail on two separate days. Surveillance video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUx8tFArBzQ&feature=youtu.be , captured the suspects at cash registers making the transactions.
Detectives identified the three suspects and issued felony arrest warrants. On Monday, November 9, 2020, HCSO received an anonymous tip providing Christian's location. Christian was arrested at a home in Brandon and transported to the Orient Road Jail.
"This serves as a reminder to protect your personal information as much as possible," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "In this case, for weeks, the victim did not notice two credit cards had been opened under their name. Safeguard your mail and take all the necessary steps to keep your personal documents safe to prevent this from happening to you."
Richard Carter and Derrick Powell Jr. remain at large. Anyone with information on the suspects' whereabouts is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.