PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, OH (Toledo News Now) - Perrysburg Township Police say 19 people have been indicted in connection to a theft ring.
Investigators say the suspects worked together to commit retail fraud, retail theft and used cloned credit cards at local home improvement stores.
"Somebody inside the business is skimming the card - where they're getting the account information off the magnetic strip," explained Det. Sgt. James Gross of the Perrysburg Township Police.
Perrysburg Township Police say six local police departments have been investigating the case for two years. Fourteen of the suspects have been arrested; most of them are from the Toledo area. Police are still searching for the other five involved.
Police have not said exactly how much was stolen, but are estimating it as more than six figures.
"We can see them going all over a tri-state area," said Gross. "We can see them making purchases on stolen credit card information, or committing thefts at these retail businesses."
Now shoppers are on alert.
"It's a little concerning," said Jack Bushmeyer. "I always use a check, usually. I hardly ever use a credit card, but it's kind of shocking here in Perrysburg."
Police say there are ways for shoppers to protect themselves and their information.
"Don't let your credit card out of your sight," Gross said. "It's when the card goes out of your sight that the person has the ability to run that card through a card reader."
No leader of the operation has been named at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and more people could be indicted.
