Crime & Safety

2nd Fake Credit Card Case at Betteridge Jewelers

Greenwich Police charge NYC suspect in 2nd attempted case of purchasing Rolex watch with fake credit card.

It what is the seocnd time in less than a month, Greenwich Police have arrested a suspect from New York City who is accused of trying to use a fake credit card to buy a Rolex watch from Betteridge Jewelers.

The scene unfolded outside the jewelry shop, founded in 1897, at 117 Greenwich Ave., shortly after 2 p.m. Sept. 20.

Police said they arrested James D. Wilson, 51, of 629 Throop Ave., Brooklyn, NY, after "the investigation (revealed) that the New Jersey Operators license along with the HSBC credit card presented for the intended purchase of a $30,665 Rolex watch was under the name John Neill. The New Jersey license was confirmed a forgery and the HSBC credit card was confirmed as a counterfeit reproduction."

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According to a police report, "Wilson admitted to false license and fraudelent credit card."

He was charged with 1st-degree forgery, illegal reproduction of a credit card, 2nd-degree forgery, illegal use of a credit card, identity theft and criminal attempt at 1st-degree larceny. Wilson was held in lieu of $50,000 bond and scheduled to appear Sept. 28 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

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Betteridge spokeswoman Lexy Tanner said the owner, Terry Betteridge was in Colorado, where there is a Betteridge store in Vail, and unavailable for comment. Tanner said that neither she nor the business's chief operating officer, who was not identified, would comment on the incident.

Police spokesman Lt. Kraig Gray said "because they are so close, we absolutely will investigate whether this is related" to a similar incident on Sept. 10.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Sept. 10, Betteridge staff called police to report that suspected fraudulent credit cards were being used by a customer. The two cards being used by the customer would not process, according to a police report. Det. Mark Solomon, who is assigned to the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, was brought in and determined that the security holograms and the numbers on the two cards were fake.

, 32, of 730 New Jersey Ave., Brooklyn, NY, also had an Illinois driver's license which he admitted was fake, according to police.

Attipoe was charged with four counts of 2nd-degree forgery; three counts of unlawful completion of a credit card; and one count each of interfering with an officer and criminal attempt at 1st-degree larceny. He was held on $50,000 bond and given a Sept. 19 court date.

After police left the store on Sept. 20, a Greenwich patrolman was stood outside, and said he was assigned to remain outside the shop.


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