Two arrested after jewelry store employees detect credit card fraud

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- At approximately 7:58 p.m. on Wednesday evening, November 8, 2017, Shenandoah Police responded to a panic alarm sent from the Zales jewelry store located at 19075 Interstate 45 South in the Portofino Shopping Center.

Employees of Zales believed that two men inside the store were attempting to purchase $12,000.00 in merchandise through the use of fraudulent credit information. Shenandoah Police Officer Christian Lehman detained the two men on scene with Officers Jennifer Angeles, Kevin Frantz, C.J. Duenas, and Sergeant Mark Brockhoeft assisting.

Through investigation, it was determined that the two men attempting to make the purchases were in possession of several fraudulent identification cards from different states. The two suspects were also in possession of numerous fraudulent credit cards and had been making purchases with fraudulent credit cards throughout Texas and possibly other states. The suspects had possession of numerous jewelry items and a loaded Glock 19 pistol was discovered inside of a rental vehicle the two men were traveling in.

The suspects were arrested and charged with Credit Card Abuse and Forgery of Government Document. SPD Detective Sergeant Joel Gordon stated that the suspects were successful in purchasing jewelry at the Zales store in Frisco, Texas, before travelling to Shenandoah where their crime spree came to an abrupt end.

The two suspects arrested are from the Dallas area and were identified as 31-year-old Deanse Means and 31-year-old Kenneth King. Identity “Theft and Credit Card Abuse are two of the “most difficult crimes to work due to the perpetrators’ operational methods requiring extensive and time consuming investigation,” says Chief of Police Raymond Shaw.

Chief Shaw commends all the officers involved with the arrests. Shaw stated that the department’s goal is to provide a safe and prosperous environment for Shenandoah residents and visitors to stay, shop, play, and dine during the 2017 holiday season. Chief Shaw indicated that further investigation in cooperation with other agencies may result in additional charges in other jurisdictions against Means and King.

Please call 281.298.5522 or visit the Shenandoah Police Department concerning any crime in the Shenandoah area or if you have been a victim of Identity Theft or Credit Card Abuse.