Wanted: Man Allegedly Breaks Into Cars, Uses Stolen Credit Cards

ENCINITAS, CA: Authorities sought the public's help Wednesday to identify and locate a man allegedly responsible for breaking into two cars, taking credit cards and then attempting to use the stolen cards.

According to San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station, the first vehicle burglary happened between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday in the 17000 block of Avenida Alondra in Rancho Santa Fe. A gym bag with two credit cards in it was allegedly taken from a car that was locked but had the passenger window slightly open.

A few hours later, just after 4 p.m., authorities said, a car was seen in surveillance video parking next to another car in front of Encinitas Country Day School in the 3300 block of Manchester Avenue in Encinitas. The window of the victim's car was open. A purse with a credit card and cash was allegedly taken.

Later in the day, the man allegedly tried to use the credit cards at a business in the 1500 block of Encinitas Boulevard. Some of the transactions were canceled; some went through, authorities said.

The suspect was described as a 30- to 40‐year‐old white man between 5 feet 9 and 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing between 140 and 160 pounds. He has a shaved head, a tan complexion and a thin build and was driving a four‐door, faded black Toyota Camry.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has other information about the case was urged to call the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station at 760-966‐3500 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580‐8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anonymous email and text messages can be sent in via Sdcrimestoppers.org.