Man Arrested For Allegedly Using Stolen Credit Cards At Sam's Club

WEST MELBOURNE, Florida -- Just after 8:00 am this morning, the West Melbourne Police Department received information that a fraud was in progress at Sam’s Club located on 4255 West New Haven Avenue in West Melbourne, Florida. 

Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to the area and learned that fraud investigators from Sam’s Club and Discover Credit Card were observing a subject allegedly using multiple credit cards at the Sam’s Club gas pump.  As the suspect left, investigators relayed the suspect’s description to West Melbourne police and a traffic stop was conducted.  Forty-two-year-old Ernis Perez Valdez was then taken into custody.

At this time, Detectives say they have been able to identify two victims and anticipate numerous other victims.  Based on the information from Sam’s Club loss prevention, police believe that Perez could be responsible for fraudulent transactions exceeding $100,000.00 within a four month period.

“This is very much an active investigation," said West Melbourne police Lieutenant Richard Cordeau.  "Our Detectives are in the process of contacting card holders, banks, and credit card companies.  So far, the card holders we have identified have been unaware their credit cards or debit cards were compromised.”