Crime & Safety

Man Bought Puppy, Cellphone with Fake Credit Cards: Police

BREAKING: An investigation led to his arrest months after he allegedly made the fraudulent purchases.

Nassau police arrested a Uniondale man on Tuesday after they say an investigation revealed that he used fraudulent credit cards to purchase a puppy and a cellphone in 2016.

According to detectives, on Aug. 15, 2016, Victor X. Franco, 23, of Liberty Street, entered Alicia MultiServices, located at 457 Jerusalem Ave. in Uniondale, and purchased a cellphone, valued at $243, with a fraudulent credit card.

On Nov. 20, police say Franco entered The Puppy Store, located at 1163 Merrick Ave. in Merrick, and bought a dog for $3,592.21, using a fraudulent credit card. On both occasions, police say Franco also displayed a fraudulent driver's license.

Find out what's happening in Merrickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

After an investigation, Franco was arrested on Tuesday. He was charged with third-degree grand larceny, four counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument and first-degree identity theft. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Photo: Nassau County Police Department

Find out what's happening in Merrickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.