Police seek suspect in newport news credit card fraud case

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying a man accused of using stolen credit cards after a vehicle break-in last month.

The incident occurred on September 22, when an officer was called to Happy Smoke at 11109 Jefferson Avenue for a reported credit card fraud attempt.

Investigators say the suspect tried to make a purchase just moments after stealing the victim’s wallet and cards from her vehicle overnight.

Key Points

A vehicle break-in in Newport News led to a credit card fraud attempt at Happy Smoke.
The suspect is described as a Black male with short, curly hair.
Crime Line tipsters can remain anonymous and may earn up to $1,500 for information leading to an arrest.

Stolen cards used moments after theft

According to Newport News Police, the victim discovered her vehicle had been broken into sometime during the night. Along with her credit cards, several personal belongings were taken. Surveillance footage shows the suspect crossing Jefferson Avenue shortly afterward and entering the Happy Smoke store, where he allegedly attempted to use the stolen cards to buy merchandise.

Investigation continues as police release description

The store manager confirmed the fraudulent transaction attempt and provided a description to officers. Police are now reviewing nearby surveillance cameras and tracing potential transactions connected to the stolen cards. Investigators believe the suspect may frequent the area and are hoping someone recognizes him from the images obtained.

Public urged to submit anonymous tips

Authorities are asking anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the theft to contact the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or submit a tip online at P3Tips.com. All tips remain anonymous, and contributors could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,500 if their information leads to an arrest.

Police remind residents to keep vehicles locked and valuables out of sight to reduce the risk of similar crimes.

Shore News Network Staff Report Latest posts

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.