Crime & Safety
$13K Bathtub Stolen from Bethesda Hardware Store (ICYMI)
A bathtub marked down from $13,000 to $6,700 was swiped when thieves used a fake credit card and posed as a bank worker to ring up the sale.
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BETHESDA, MD — Authorities continue to search for thieves who reportedly used a fake credit card and some fast talking to steal an upscale bathtub -- originally on sale for $13,000 but marked down to $6,700 -- from a Bethesda business.
Montgomery County Police are asking the public for help identifying the suspect who used the fake card for the purchase at the Union Hardware store, 7800 Wisconsin Ave. About 1:30 p.m. on April 26, the man entered the store and wanted to purchase a $13,000 bathtub that was on sale for $6,700.
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Authorities say the suspect gave a credit card to an employee as payment, but the charge was initially declined. The suspect told the employee he would call the bank to find out why the charge was denied. The suspect placed a call on his cellphone and handed the phone to the employee so the bank could instruct him on how to process the credit card charge.
The employee received instructions over the phone on what to enter into the credit card machine in order to obtain purchase approval. The employee followed the instructions and a receipt for the bathtub printed out, as if the purchase had been approved, police say.
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The suspect loaded the bathtub into a U-Haul truck that was parked outside the business and drove away with another man.
Soon after, Union Hardware was contacted by its bank and told the credit card used to buy the pricey bathtub was a fraudulent credit card.
On May 2, officers released a surveillance photograph of the theft suspect and asked that anyone who recognizes him call police at 240-773-6710.
To remain anonymous, call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 240-773-TIPS (8477) or Text-A-Tip to: CRIMES (274637), text MCPD and your crime tip. Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this crime.
»PHOTO: Suspect in theft from Union Hardware, courtesy of Montgomery County Police
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