48-Year-Old Newark Man Indicted On Charges For Stealing Thousands Of Dollars From Customers
Saturday, April 27, 2024, 5:15 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
FREEHOLD, NJ.- Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago reported, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, that a grand jury sitting in Monmouth County, New Jersey returned a 52-count indictment against a 48-year-old Newark, New Jersey man for stealing thousands of dollars from customers during his work shifts as a gas station attendant.
The grand jury returned the indictment, charging Patrick Brown, 48, of Newark, New Jersey with 13 counts on each charge of third-degree Credit Card Fraud; third-degree False Uttering; third-degree Theft; and fourth-degree Credit Card Theft.
An investigation by Sergeant Sean Foley of the Freehold Township Police Department alleged that the thefts took place during a short time frame in August 2023, with each theft following a similar pattern. Mr. Brown would accept a credit card or debit card from a customer while he worked at the Wawa Convenience Store and Gas Station located on Route 9 in Freehold Township. Brown would then quickly swipe the card through an attached device on his cell phone, transferring hundreds of dollars at a time into a bank account he controlled, before using the card to pay for the legitimate gasoline purchases.
Brown was criminally charged the same week when the first customer reported the theft of funds from their credit or debit card. Shortly after being first charged more victims came forward.
Anyone with information regarding Brown's activities, or anyone who believes they have been victimized, is urged to contact Sergeant Foley at (732) 252-1950.
"The rules of the court requires us to include a statement, that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt."
FILED UNDER: APRIL 27, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, MONMOUTH: