Miami woman accused of using stolen debit card at Dolphin Mall
Maci Castillo, Intern
Tags: Miami-Dade CountyOpens in new window, SweetwaterOpens in new window, Dolphin MallOpens in new window, CrimeOpens in new window
SWEETWATER, Fla. — A woman was arrested last Friday at the Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater for the unlawful possession of a stolen credit or debit card, authorities said.
According to her arrest form, the woman, who has been identified as Shequanda Dashay Jean-Baptiste, used another woman’s debit card to make a purchase at Foot Locker for $210.23.
The victim told police she received a notification on her cellphone about the purchase and quickly realized that she had left her keys and wallet inside of another store in the mall, Pacsun.
The victim then ran to Foot Locker, where she identified the purchase as fraudulent.
Police said an employee at Foot Locker remembered the transaction, and described the thief as well as a man she was with who was pushing a stroller.
Jean-Baptiste was eventually detained outside the mall where police found the victim’s wallet, keys and credit cards inside her purse, according to the arrest form.
Police said she refused multiple times to comply with entering the police vehicle before eventually doing so. Her minor daughter was present throughout the entire incident, witnessing both the transaction and her mother’s arrest, according to police.
Jean-Baptiste faces four charges: one count of unlawful possession of a stolen credit or debit card, one count of petit theft, one count of resisting an officer without violence, and one count of contributing to the delinquency or dependency of a child.
As of Monday, Jean-Baptiste was no longer appearing in the jail database.
Search on for woman accused of using stolen credit card at 15 stores, South Miami police say
By Peter D’Oench
South Miami police are searching for a woman accused of using a stolen credit card to make more than $6,000 in purchases at 15 stores across Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Investigators said the suspect, seen wearing a turquoise medical face mask, went on a six-day shopping spree in late August and charged expensive items including headphones from a Best Buy in Hialeah.
Victim speaks out after $6,300 in fraudulent charges
The victim, Eddie Bouza, said the card in his name was used to rack up $6,300 worth of charges.
“It’s horrible. Horrible. It’s causing a lot of pain and discomfort,” Bouza said.
The situation has also been deeply upsetting for his wife, Milaine.
“I feel violated. If this can happen to us, it can happen to anybody,” she said.
Couple discovered transactions by checking bank statements
The Bouzas said they discovered the fraudulent charges when reviewing their online bank statements and quickly canceled the card. The transactions happened between Aug. 22 and Aug. 27.
“If we had never checked our bank statements the way we do online, we would have been out more money,” Milaine said.
Detective: Suspect hit multiple retailers
South Miami detective Jackie Del Sol said the suspect used the stolen card at a wide range of businesses, from Southwest Miami-Dade to Sweetwater, Miami Gardens, Doral and Pembroke Pines.
“She’s gone to BJ’s, Whole Foods and she’s been to True Religion Jeans at the Dolphin Mall. She’s been to Sneak Town and purchased multiple items as well,” Del Sol said.
Del Sol said she believes the suspect has done this before and may continue if not caught.
“I believe she is still doing it actively,” she said.
Police release suspect description
Investigators say the woman appears to be in her mid-30s to early 40s and weighs at least 190 pounds. She was seen driving a black Buick Encore. Del Sol said she is working with other police departments as the investigation continues.
“I believe she needs to stop. She needs to get caught. She needs to know that what she is doing is not right,” Del Sol said.
Victim warns others about credit card theft
Bouza said he does not know how the suspect obtained the card. He suspects it may have been stolen from a mailbox before he received it.
“Just be careful with your credit card; the way it is shipped and it’s stolen. Make sure your personal information is safe,” he said.
Bouza is disputing the charges but is uncertain whether he will recover any of the money. He noted that his Social Security number was somehow used before the card was even issued.
“Ideally I hope someone will come forward if they recognize her and they will bring charges against her. It is fraud at the end of the day. It’s theft,” Bouza said.
Police urge vigilance and public assistance
South Miami police are urging the public to check their bank and credit card accounts regularly to monitor for fraudulent activity.
Anyone who has seen the suspect is asked to call South Miami police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
