LOS ANGELES, CA — Police are asking potential victims to come forward after arresting a man suspected of carrying out a series of thefts targeting sellers of collectible gaming cards in Los Angeles.
The thefts occurred between Jan. 9 and June 9, when the suspect met sellers through online peer-to-peer marketplaces and arranged in-person meetings to purchase collectible cards with cash, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The incidents occurred in Hollywood and North Hollywood, but authorities say there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward.
Investigators determined the suspect typically met sellers near ATMs and pretended to withdraw money before placing it into a bank envelope. Police claim he then used counterfeit bills mixed with one or two genuine bills to complete the transactions.
Victims often did not realize the money was counterfeit until after the suspect had left with the cards, police said.
The investigation led authorities to identify a pattern linking multiple thefts to the same suspect.
On June 11, detectives, with assistance from the Huntington Park Police Department, stopped a vehicle in the 2500 block of Zoe Avenue in Huntington Park and took the suspect into custody, according to police.
During the stop, investigators recovered multiple collectible gaming cards and counterfeit $100 bills, authorities said.
The suspect was identified as 34-year-old Zachary Mitchell of Los Angeles. He was booked on suspicion of grand theft and remains under investigation. The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration, police said.
Police released Mitchell's booking photo because investigators believe additional victims may not have reported similar incidents.
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Mitchell or has information about the case is asked to contact North Hollywood Detective Noah Stone at 818-754-8424. After-hours calls can be made to 877-527-3247.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or online.
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