FREEPORT, Texas – Freeport police officers have identified four people who they believe are members of an identity theft ring targeting Buc-ee's gas stations.
Three men and one woman have been caught on surveillance cameras making fraudulent purchases at 14 Buc-ee's locations in nine different cities.
"I am not surprised. Criminals will do anything so they don't have to go out and get a hard job and work," customer Stephen Gunter said.
On the video, the suspects appear to be normal customers, walking around the store, shopping.
Investigators said the group steals credit card numbers and then clones the cards to make the fraudulent purchases. Customers call their credit card and refuse the charge, but Buc-ee's can't.
"I don't like it. I just hope they get caught," customer Ike Okoroha said.
Freeport police said the suspects usually buy cartons of cigarettes with the bogus credit cards. They said this started in July, and so far, they have stolen $18,000 in merchandise.
"I really hope Buc-ee's can recoup," customer Marshall Pagan said.
Besides Freeport, some of the Buc-ee's locations hit include Lake Jackson, Angleton, Giddings, Pearland, League City, Waller, and Temple.