Lake Charles, LA –
In January Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives received several complaints from various financial institutions in reference to a possible bank fraud taking place in our area.
During the investigation it was learned two suspects were making fraudulent ATM transactions at local convenience stores throughout the parish.
Detectives also learned the suspects were purchasing gift cards with fraudulent debit cards at local grocery stores in the parish. Detectives viewed numerous surveillance videos from the locations in which the transactions had taken place and observed the same two suspects responsible for making the fraudulent charges. During further investigation detectives learned there was approximately 62 victims of identity theft and a total of approximately $23,000 had been stolen.
On March 1 CPSO detectives learned one of the possible suspects was at a local business making ATM withdrawals and detectives were able to obtain a description of the suspect’s truck. A short time later the truck was located at a different gas station nearby. Detectives made contact with the suspect, Nasquier Perz-Cardona, 30, Houston, Texas, and observed him to be one of the men seen in the surveillance videos. He was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with 3 counts of bank fraud; and 62 counts of identity theft. He was released the following day on a $46,000 bond set by Judge Tony Fazzio.
Detectives believe the suspects possibly obtained the victims’ debit card numbers from a fuel pump skimming device.
The investigation is continuing and more charges and arrests are likely.
CPSO Detective Edward Curol is the lead investigator on this case.