Portell
Victim “finds” the suspect
Date published: 12/31/2010
BY KEITH EPPS
A Fredericksburg man got more answers than he could have hoped for Wednesday when he went out to investigate who had been using his stolen credit card.
Police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said that while the man was talking to an employee at Nader’s Grocery on Caroline Street about who had been using his card there, the suspect walked into the store. After the employee pointed and said, “that’s him,” the victim began pummeling the suspect.
The suspect eventually broke loose and ran, but was stopped by Officer Julie Keene a short time later after she saw his vehicle being driven with no headlights on. Bledsoe said the ensuing investigation has resulted in solving at least 40 thefts from vehicles in Fredericksburg and Stafford County over the past six weeks. Police are still investigating the possibility of more thefts and suspects.
Bledsoe said the victim, who lives on Posey Lane in Idlewild subdivision, called police Wednesday morning to report that his wallet and some wrapped Christmas presents had been stolen from his vehicle late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Another person in the same subdivision reported the theft of a purse from her vehicle.
The Posey Lane victim, a 31-year-old man, later went online and saw that his credit card had already been used at various businesses, including three times at Nader’s Grocery. He went to the store about 8 p.m. to try to find out who was using the card and in walked the suspect, Bledsoe said.
Keene was parked on nearby Kenmore Avenue when she saw an older-model Lexus come by, weaving and with no light on. Keene, who was not yet aware of what had happened at Nader’s, made what she thought was a routine traffic stop.
Bledsoe said that after receiving permission to search the car and the suspect, Keene found numerous suspected stolen items, including laptop computers, GPS devices, CD players, a game system, wallets and credit cards. The credit card belonging to the man who had just fought with the suspect was found in the suspect’s pocket, Bledsoe said, and property belonging to both Idlewild victims was in the car. Smoking devices, K2 spice packs and bottles of beer were also recovered.
Dustin Portell, 19, was charged with multiple counts of possession of stolen property. Portell, a former city resident who currently has no fixed address, was also charged with possession of marijuana and underage possession of alcohol.
Portell was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com
Date published: 12/31/2010
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Article source: http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/122010/12312010/597765?rss=local
Category: Identity Theft Watch