A juvenile was arrested Sunday evening following a reported credit card fraud case at Smokeablez in Bellefontaine.
According to the Bellefontaine Police Department, officers were called to the store just before 7 p.m.
The store owner reported that four people entered the business earlier in the day and attempted to make purchases using multiple credit cards displayed on their cell phones.
Around 20 different cards were reportedly tried, with several transactions being declined.
Three of the individuals successfully completed purchases totaling $2,223.
The owner said the group showed photo IDs on their phones that appeared to match the names on the credit cards.
Shortly afterward, a woman contacted the store and reported her credit card had been used without authorization.
She confirmed two fraudulent charges totaling $628, and the last four digits of her card number matched the transactions made at the store.
Surveillance video and transaction receipts were provided to police, though officers noted the video and register times were not synchronized.
Later that evening, the group returned to the store, prompting another call to police.
The owner reported briefly locking the doors before releasing them and following the group.
Police also received a separate report of a man chasing individuals while armed.
The man, the owner of Smokeablez, later stated the handgun was unloaded.
Officers located one suspect inside Lowe’s. The individual initially provided false information but was later identified as 17-year-old Strength Bettah of Pickerington.
Bettah was arrested and transported to the Central Ohio Youth Center. The remaining suspects were not located.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.
