Hazlehurst Man Arrested for Financial Card Fraud in Bacon County Following Joint Investigation

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A Hazlehurst man is in custody following an investigation into financial credit card fraud.

On July 17, the Alma Police Department received a complaint about fraudulent transactions made using a debit card. The victim reported that their card had been used multiple times at various businesses in Alma, Hazlehurst, and Baxley. The case was handed over to the Alma-Bacon County Crime Suppression Unit for further investigation.

According to officials, the unit, along with the Hazlehurst Police Department, obtained images of the suspect and their vehicle from surveillance cameras at local businesses. The vehicle owner was identified as 41-year-old Jose Luis Cruz of Hazlehurst.

A BOLO (Be On the Look Out) alert was issued for the vehicle, and deputies from the Bacon County Sheriff’s Office located it within 24 hours. A traffic stop was conducted on U.S. 1 North, just before entering Alma, where Cruz was identified as the driver.

Cruz was arrested and taken to the Bacon County Jail. During a search of his vehicle, property linked to a separate incident was also found.

Cruz has been charged with three counts of Financial Transaction Card Fraud in Bacon County. The case remains active, with additional charges possible.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Investigator Sarro with the Alma-Bacon County Crime Suppression Unit at (912) 632-8751 or (912) 632-5161.

Attributions: Alma Police Department