Cape man facing auto theft, fraudulent use of credit card charges
A Cape Coral man was arrested after police say a stolen vehicle investigation tied him to credit card fraud.
Blake Riollano, 19, had been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, fraudulent use of a credit card and criminal use of personal identification information, all third degree felonies.
According to Cape Coral Police Department officials, on Dec. 9, officers responded to a report of a stolen blue 2015 Dodge Challenger from a residence near Northeast 14th Avenue in Cape Coral.
Police officials stated that later that day, the car was located in Fort Myers where officers saw Riollano driving it with a passenger. Police state both fled on foot after abandoning the car, but were detained shortly thereafter, with identification and personal property belonging to Riollano found inside the stolen Challenger.
“Cape Coral Police Property Crimes Detectives interviewed the passenger, who said that Riollano picked him up around 3 a.m. in the stolen vehicle, told him the vehicle was stolen, and drove around Pine Island and Cape Coral before being arrested,” a release from CCPD states.
CCPD officials added that during the follow-up investigation, the vehicle owner reported an attempted charge of $299.17 on a credit card left inside the stolen car at a grocery store in Bokeelia on Dec. 9. Police state that store personnel verified the declined transaction and provided surveillance video showing two males attempting to purchase groceries.
As of Wednesday morning, Riollano remained in custody at Lee County Jail, being held on a $22,500 bail, with two bond charges for probation violation not yet set.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com