Credit Card Skimmer Found at Alsip Gas Station

Skimming device found at Alsip gas station. Joshua Cooper, 26 (top) and Joseph Tipping, 23, both of Munster, IN. | Alsip Police Department and Cook County Sheriff.

Alsip, IL, May 13, 2016 -- Two Indiana men were arrested after they drove to an Alsip gas station to retrieve a credit card skimming device, prosecutors said. .

Joshua Cooper, 26, of Munster, IN, was charged with possession of a theft-related device. Joseph Tipping, 23, also of Munster, IN, was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer.

According to the charges, the morning of May 5, Cooper attached a skimming device to the credit card terminal near the register at Pilot Flying J Travel Center, 12680 S. Kedzie Ave., Alsip.

An alert employee noticed the skimming device and contacted Alsip police.

Police said that around 9:30 p.m. May 9, Tipping drove Cooper to the gas station. Tipping waited in the car while Cooper went inside the travel center to retrieve the device.

Cooper allegedly fled on foot when police moved in to make the arrest. He was taken into custody.

An Alsip police officer ordered Tipping to stop when he tried to drive out of the lot, the prosecutor said.

Tipping continued to drive and was attempting to make a right hand turn when police said he hit the officer in the mid-torso and leg. The officer refused medical treatment.

Alsip police said both men were together. Tipping’s driver’s license was also suspended.

Deputy Police Chief Jay Miller said that computer forensic specialists have been brought in to determine exactly what information was collected by the device.

Miller said the skimmer was placed over the store’s credit card terminal. The device used was battery power and recorded the card and PIN data. No one has contacted the Alsip Police Department to report any fraudulent activity on bank or credit card accounts.

“We also believe it was possibly equipped with a wifi device which transmits the recorded data to the offender remotely. The deputy chief said.

The men appeared for a bond hear Wednesday in Bridgeview. Bail for Cooper was set at $50,000; Tipping is being held in lieu of $40,000.

Their next court appearance is June 2 in Bridgeview.

Customers who've noticed suspicious activity in their bank or credit card accounts after visiting the Pilot Flying J Travel Center in Alsip between May 5 and May 9, should contact the detective division of the Alsip Police Department at 708-385-6902.