For the week of Jan 30 - Feb 5, 2002

Credit card thieves return

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By GREG MOORE
Express Staff Writer

The theft of a credit card last week from a locked vehicle at the Sun Valley Nordic Center appears to indicate that a gang of professional credit card thieves is continuing to work the area.

According to Sun Valley Police Chief Cam Daggett, the victim reported that the card was probably taken from her car Friday. Daggett said she noticed the card was missing Sunday and notified her credit card company, but by that time the card had been used to obtain cash at a casino in Nevada.

The theft is the most recent of several that have occurred in the area over the past year and a half by thieves using the same modus operandi—breaking into vehicles at isolated parking areas, taking one credit card and relocking the vehicle. The cards have been used at casinos in Las Vegas to obtain thousands of dollars in cash.

Most of the thefts have occurred during the summer at trailhead parking areas near Ketchum.

Daggett advised people not to leave credit cards in their vehicles.

"Be a little observant," he said. "If you see somebody hanging around like they don’t belong there, don’t be afraid to report it to local law enforcement."

 

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