Police say a suspect was stopped after allegedly using stolen credit cards to buy hundreds of dollars in gift cards.
NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. — A New York man is facing criminal charges after police say he attempted to use stolen credit cards to purchase gift cards and groceries at a Giant Eagle in North Huntingdon Township.
According to North Huntingdon Township Police, officers responded July 7 to the Giant Eagle on Route 30 after store loss prevention personnel detained Quansheng Niu.
Investigators said loss prevention watched Niu select multiple gift cards before gathering several grocery items and proceeding to checkout.
Police allege Niu completed three transactions using eight different credit cards stored on his phone through a tap-to-pay feature. Two additional cards were declined.
Authorities said Niu purchased $540 in gift cards along with bottled water and other groceries totaling $552.47.
While the transactions were taking place, loss prevention received notification from a retail banking group indicating that at least two of the credit cards being used had been reported stolen.
Investigators also determined Niu allegedly attempted eight additional transactions using eight different credit cards at another Giant Eagle in nearby Hempfield Township.
Police contacted the Department of Homeland Security during the investigation. According to police, Homeland Security advised that Niu was in the United States unlawfully.
Niu, who police identified as being from Flushing, New York, has been charged with access device fraud and retail theft. He was denied bail.
The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A New York man was arrested after police said he used stolen credit cards at a Pennsylvania Giant Eagle.
- Investigators allege he attempted multiple transactions using numerous credit cards at two grocery stores.
- He is charged with access device fraud and retail theft and was denied bail.
