Burleson Police Department Announces Major Arrest in Multi-State Gift Card Tampering Ring

The Burleson Police Department has successfully apprehended suspects involved in a sophisticated multi-state gift card tampering ring, thanks to the diligent work of officers and the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies and retail loss prevention teams.

On June 27, 2024, Officers were alerted by a Flock Safety ALPR (Automated License Plate Reader) system of a vehicle associated with a multi-state gift card tampering ring. A Burleson officer assigned to Fort Worth Police Department's Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), quickly informed patrol units of the vehicle's connection to fraudulent activities at Home Depot locations, based on intelligence from Home Depot Organized Retail Crimes (ORC) investigators.

The suspect vehicle was located in the Target parking lot at 200 NW John Jones Dr., adjacent to the Home Depot in Burleson. Officers observed two males exiting the Target store and entering a Honda Accord. The vehicle then proceeded onto the 1400 block of SW Wilshire Blvd., where officers observed a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop.

Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed a large number of gift cards in plain view, prompting them to detain the subjects and conduct a probable cause search. During the search, officers discovered over 1,000 gift cards neatly packaged and organized in bundles and boxes. With probable cause established, the occupants were arrested, and the investigation intensified.

The magnitude of this case necessitated coordination with multiple agencies, including the Burleson Police Department's Patrol, Strategic Response Team, and Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Fort Worth PD's Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), US Secret Service Task Force (USSSTF), US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Colleyville Police Department (CPD), Euless Police Department (EPD), Carrollton Police Department, Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) and Home Depot and Target's Corporate Organized Retail Crimes teams.

Further investigation revealed that a hotel in Carrollton, TX, was linked to the suspects and potentially housed additional evidence. Burleson Police Department's CID officers obtained a search warrant for the hotel and then Burleson's Strategic Response Team (SRT) executed the search warrant, collecting further evidence relevant to this investigation.

In total, officers recovered 4,017 gift cards with an estimated value of $1,720,050. The two suspects have been charged with Theft of Property over $300,000 (1st degree felony), Fraud, Possession or Use of Credit Card or Debit Card over 50 (1st degree felony), and Fraud Use or Possession of Identifying Information 50 or more items (1st degree felony).

This investigation's success is a testament to the collaborative efforts of BPD Patrol, SRT, CID, RTCC, Colleyville, Euless, and Carrollton PD's, USSSTF, ICE, HSI, Texas FCIC and retail loss prevention teams.