Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit

Suspect #1- white or Hispanic male, approximately 35-45 years of age, wearing a white hat, a blue long sleeve shirt, light colored jeans ripped at the knees, and dark colored shoes. The suspect was riding as a passenger in a black SUV.   

What:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit are warning gas station customers of two credit card skimmers that were found on gas pumps in Palm Harbor, and unincorporated Seminole.

When:  
The Palm Harbor incident was reported to deputies at about 5:10 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017.

The unincorporated Seminole incident was reported to deputies at about 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017.

Where:
The first incident occurred at the Speedway gas station located at 2734 US Alternate 19, in Palm Harbor.

The second incident occurred at the Speedway gas station located at 11708 Seminole Boulevard, in unincorporated Seminole.

How/Why:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit are warning gas station customers of credit card skimmers that were found on gas pumps at two separate gas stations in Palm Harbor, and unincorporated Seminole.

According to detectives, at about 5:10 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017, deputies were called to the  Speedway gas station located at 2734 US Alternate 19, in Palm Harbor, after employees found a credit card skimming device on gas pump #2. Deputies determined that someone forced open the gas pump and installed the skimmer sometime between 3:45 a.m. on April 19, 2017, and 3:45 a.m. on April 20, 2017.

At about 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017, deputies were called to the Speedway gas station located at 11708 Seminole Boulevard, in unincorporated Seminole. Employees at this business found a credit card skimming device on gas pump #1.

In this specific case, employees received an alert from the gas pump at about 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, indicating that someone tampered with the gas pump. Employees inspected the pump and found the skimming device. Detectives say that employees took appropriate action and immediately shut down the gas pump before any customers could utilize it.

Deputies obtained surveillance video from the Speedway gas station in unincorporated Seminole, showing a black SUV pull up to gas pump #1, at about 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. An unidentified male suspect exited the passenger side of the vehicle and entered the store while at least one other suspect remained with the vehicle at the gas pump. The suspect is seen on video entering the store but he never makes a purchase. The suspect leaves the store, gets back into the SUV, and the SUV pulls away.

The male suspect is described as white or Hispanic male, approximately 35-45 years of age, wearing a white hat, a blue long sleeve shirt, light colored jeans ripped at the knees, and dark colored shoes.

Surveillance video from the gas station can be viewed on our YouTube page here: https://youtu.be/tr6bQN9Z-HQ

Detectives are asking customers who bought gas at the Speedway gas stations to check with their financial institutions to see if there are any unauthorized bank transactions. If so, they should notify the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office at (727) 582-6200.

Anyone with information that may assist detectives in this case is asked to contact Detective James Holden at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (727) 582-6200 or remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org. 

The investigation continues.

Picture of the credit card skimmer found in unincorporated Seminole. 

Picture of the credit card skimmer found in unincorporated Seminole.