Serial pickpocketers in St. Pete now facing charges, affidavit shows

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Pete police arrested two Miami men who have gone on a series of pickpocketing frenzies and are now facing charges, according to an affidavit.

Miguel Angel Urra Diaz, 51, and Yosnial Jesus Llanes Mora, 33, are accused of stealing victims’ credit cards at public places, including Sam’s Club and Walmart, attempting to charge roughly $20,000.

On June 2, a woman was at “Welcome to the Farm” around midnight when her wallet was stolen from her purse. Later that morning, the duo was caught on surveillance video at a St. Pete Sam’s Club self-checkout lane using the woman’s stolen cards, attempting to charge a staggering $1,445 on a Discover card and her Truist debit card.

On May 17, a woman was at “Good Night John Boy” when her Capitol One card was snatched from her purse by Mora. He was caught on surveillance video at self-checkout lanes at Sam’s Club, charging a total of $9,704.56 across seven fraudulent charges.

According to the affidavit, her card was also charged $16,691.91 at various stores, including Walmart, along with an attempted $1,445.36 charge, and another $66.18.

The suspects used shopping carts full of items at the self-checkout lane to distract from the fraudulent charges being made, the affidavit said.

Diaz and Mora are both facing charges of possession of a stolen credit card, fraudulent use of personal identification information, fraudulent use of a credit card, and unlawful possession of a stolen credit or debit card.

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