New York Man Arrested on ID Fraud, Other Charges

MERRIMACK, NH — One man was arrested and another is at-large after an alleged identity and credit card fraud incident at a Merrimack state liquor store earlier this month, according to police. Juan F. Gutierrez, 23, with a last known address of Home Street in the Bronx, NY, was arrested on Jan. 11, 2017, for identity fraud, fraudulent use of a credit card, and resisting arrest.

Editor’s Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Merrimack Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

At just before 5 p.m., officers were sent to the New Hampshire State Liquor and Wine Outlet on Dobson Way for a report of two men attempting to purchase alcohol with possibly stolen credit cards. Store employees were alerted about another store that may have been victimized earlier in the day, according to police, and had a Hyundai Santa Fee with a New York plate as a possible suspect vehicle.

As the first officer arrived, according to Lt. Dean KillKelley of the Merrimack Police Department, the Santa Fe was spotted leaving the area quickly. One of the suspects – Gutierrez – was still in the store, according to police, while other officers attempted to find the Santa Fe.

“Officers asked Gutierrez for identification,” KillKelley alleged, “(and) he provided the officer with a Pennsylvania driver’s license which had Gutierrez’s photo. When officers did a license check using the driver’s license number, the name and address of another person, other than Gutierrez, came back.”

Officers alleged that Gutierrez also allegedly had several Visa debit/gift cards in his possession at the time and was reportedly attempting to purchase more than $400 of alcohol.

“As the officer was attempting to arrest and handcuff Gutierrez, he resisted by pulling away,” according to police.

Gutierrez was held on $10,000 cash bail and arraigned on Jan. 12.

During the process of arresting Gutierrez, a Brookline resident contacted police to let them know that his credit card company had informed him about a fraudulent purchase at the store.

“Upon checking the store records and surveillance video it showed another male subject who was with Gutierrez had just used the card for a purchase and left the store prior to the officer’s arrival,” KillKelley alleged.

Police expect more charges in the future concerning this case.