Man charged in credit card theft scheme

Eric Allen Reid of Hagerstown is accused of selling diesel fuel he purchased with a former employer's credit card.

November 14, 2002|by SCOTT BUTKI

HAGERSTOWN - A Hagerstown man was out on bail Wednesday after being charged with selling diesel fuel for about $1 per gallon that he allegedly purchased with a stolen credit card, a Washington County Sheriff's Department investigator said.

Eric Allen Reid, 36, of Hagerstown, publicized the discount cost of the fuel over CB radio, investigator Greg Alton said.

Reid charged about $53,000 to his former employer's credit card since June, Alton said.

Reid was served with a Washington County District Court arrest warrant Tuesday and charged with one count of theft-scheme involving $500 plus value, stealing another person's credit card and using/disclosing credit card numbers in connection with a diesel fuel theft scheme, Alton said in a news release.

Reid was later released on $5,000 bail, Alton said.

Reid could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Reid worked as a dump truck driver for about six to nine months at J. Rowland Trucking Inc. of Williamsport, Owner John Rowland said Wednesday.

When Reid quit around May, he told Rowland he lost his company credit card, which was to be used at local gas stations, Rowland said.

Rowland said he was partially to blame since he did not check to make sure the credit card was being used anymore.

"I am just too good-natured, I guess," he said.

Rowland said he is hoping he will get some restitution if Reid is convicted.

A local truck driver called the Sheriff's Department and told them that Reid was publicizing the sale of the fuel over CB radio, Alton said.

Reid would meet a customer at a pre-arranged gas station, use the Rowland credit card and then pump the gas, Alton said. Reid would be paid for the fuel with cash, he said.

On Nov. 4, investigators watched as Reid sold fuel at the Williamsport AC&T station and then confronted him about his actions, Alton said.

While Reid was selling diesel fuel for $1 a gallon, it was on sale Wednesday at $1.49 a gallon.

The gas stations were unaware of what Reid was doing, Alton said.

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