Napa Man Accused Of Stealing 200 Hotel Guests' Credit Card Info

NAPA, CA — A 30-year-old Napa man is accused by police of stealing and using the credit card information of more than 200 guests of a local hotel where he worked. Matthew Prieto was arrested May 21 when the Napa Police Department served a search warrant at his home in the 1100 block of Napa Street, Napa police Lt. Gary Pitkin said in a news release.

Pitkin said over a period of six months, Prieto and his co-conspirators used the stolen personal identifying information data to commit over $76,000 in fraudulent purchases in Napa, Yountville, Suisun and online.

"In addition to purchasing goods in other people’s names, Prieto and his associates took trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas using the victims’ credit cards," Pitkin said.

"During most of these frauds Prieto provided the stolen credit card data over the phone, then went to the businesses to pick up purchased items. Feeling brazen, Prieto made efforts to pay his rent and PG&E bills using stolen credit card data."

Napa police began investigating Prieto in March when a Napa business owner alerted them to Prieto's suspected criminal activity.

"During the police department’s two-month investigation, a detailed timeline of Prieto’s fraudulent activities was developed," Pitkin said. "Napa Police were able to identify and interview credit card holders and businesses who Prieto victimized."

It is alleged by police that during their search of Prieto's home May 21, detectives recovered stolen credit card data, personal identifying information — PII — for over 200 people, and fraudulently purchased, high-end merchandise including Gucci purses and Louis Vuitton shoes.

Prieto, who was on probation for an unrelated fraud case at the time of his arrest May 21, was interviewed at the police department, then booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections on suspicion of six felonies and two misdemeanors, including commercial burglary, forgery, identity theft, embezzlement, conspiracy, theft and violation of probation.

Under the state's emergency bail scheduled related to COVID-19, Prieto was released from jail less than four hours after his arrest, Pitkin said.

Napa police are continuing their investigation into additional suspects and victims. Anyone with information about Prieto and/or his suspected co-conspirators may contact Sgt. Todd Shulman at 707-257-9575 or tshulman@cityofnapa.org.