2 Men Used Phony Credit Cards At Essex County Whole Foods Stores: Cops

By Jason Koestenblatt (Patch Staff)

Two men from New York were arrested earlier this month for allegedly attempting to use fraudulent credit cards to buy products at multiple Whole Foods Markets, including Essex County, Acting Lt. John Miscia of the Madison Police Department said.

On June 10, Madison police were dispatched to the local Whole Foods store just after 4 p.m. for a report of an individual attempting to utilize a fraudulent credit card. When patrols arrived employees said one suspect fled the store and provided police with a description.

Cpl. Luis Goncalves met with Ronald Jean-Gilles, 22, of Brooklyn, who was found to be in possession of “several” fraudulent credit cards with fictitious names on them, Miscia said.

Shortly after Madison detectives Ken Shannon and Paul Papamarkos stopped a vehicle fitting the description given by store employees and found Bryan Jean, 24, of Brooklyn, New York. He was also found to be in possession of fraudulent credit cards, Miscia said.

Jean-Gilles was charged with possession of a false document (driver’s license), fraudulent use of credit cards, and three counts of credit card theft. Jean was charged with three counts of credit card theft and three counts of conspiracy to use a fraudulent credit card.

The investigation also determined both men were wanted for the same crimes at Whole Foods stores in Essex County. The investigation is still open and more charges are pending.

Both were lodged in Morris County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

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