Kyle George, 31, of Flagler County, was taken into custody last Friday after deputies from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant at his Palm Coast residence.
Investigators said the victim—whose identity has not yet been released—contacted the police on September 15 after he returned home from a vacation and found at least $2,900 in purchases had been made using his credit card without his authorization.
George was eventually flagged as a suspect after the victim received a package containing parts for a Chevy truck. The delivery had featured a label with the victim’s name but his neighbor’s address.
George, who owns a Chevy, had been in the victim’s home before he went on holiday, police said.
As the probe continued, evidence quickly began to pile up.
It emerged that a truck matching the description of the suspect’s Chevy had been spotted at locations were the victim reported his credit card was fraudulently used. But crucially, video surveillance footage was obtained showing George using the card inside a Kohl’s store.
In addition, Flagler County detectives discovered footage of the suspect using his neighbor’s credit card to register a vehicle at the Bunnell Department of Motor Vehicles.
“Our detectives did a great job in piecing this puzzle together,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “This is a guy who thinks he is above the law and shouldn’t have to work for his money like the rest of us. He takes the term ‘bad neighbor’ to a whole new level.”
After his arrest last Friday, the 31-year-old was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. George was released after posting bail on a $15,000 bond. He has been charged with five counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information of a person over 60 years of age and fraudulent use of a credit card," police confirmed.
Since the allegations were made, the victim has reportedly found additional purchases that were made on a separate credit card which totaled to more than $11,000. The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may still be added, the sheriff’s office said.
In August, a caregiver was arrested in Florida after being accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the life savings of a couple in their 90s. The suspect, identified as Odalis Lopez, 56, allegedly made fraudulent purchases for years using the credit card of her victims, who were named as Holocaust survivor Rella Herman, 93, and her husband Leonard, 91.
In Florida, penalties for fraudulent use of a credit card include up to five years in prison, up to five years probation and fines of up to $5,000, according to law firm Adams & Luka.
