PHOTOS OF THEFT SUSPECT RELEASED

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the Ormond Beach Police Department are asking for the public’s help in identifying a theft suspect who is believed to have stolen and used two women’s debit cards. In both cases the suspect had obtained the cards’ PINs and withdrawn several hundred dollars. However, images of the man and his vehicle were captured on surveillance video and investigators are asking anyone who may recognize the man to provide tips that can lead to his identification and arrest. Tipsters who use Crime Stopper of Northeast Florida can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.

On March 18 an 84-year-old woman was shopping at a grocery store near Ormond Beach when a man engaged her in conversation. The woman was momentarily distracted, and a few minutes after the man walked away she realized that her purse was missing from her shopping cart. She told Sheriff’s deputies that she had kept her PIN with her card. Before the victim was able to notify her bank about the theft, the suspect had already obtained about $651 in withdraws and purchases.

On March 24 a 77-year-old woman was working at an Ormond Beach church and had her purse on her desk nearby. But later in the day she noticed that it was missing. That afternoon she got a call from a man claiming to be from her bank’s fraud department who asked her for her PIN. She provided the number, but immediately realized that she should not have. Unfortunately, the damage was done. About $700 was taken from her account before she notified her bank.

The suspect was described as a white man in his 30s, approximately 6’0” with a stocky build. He had very short hair or was completely bald. Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call Sheriff’s Investigator Lance LaMee at (386) 323-0151, Ormond Beach Police Detective Apryl Andrasco at (386) 676-3516, or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at (888) 277-TIPS. Tipsters can also provide information by texting “TIP231 plus the message” to CRIMES. Anyone who provides information to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.