Fraudster hits Sonoma jewelry stores
A man using a California ID in the name of “Ryan Mahoney” used bogus credit cards to make purchases at three jewelry stores in the city of Sonoma on Monday and Tuesday.
In each case, “Mahoney” told store employees that he wanted to buy something for his mother`s 60th birthday. “Mahoney” then selected gold bracelets ranging in price from $1,995 to $3,200.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office reported that “Mahoney” used a Bank of America Visa credit card which had “Mahoney Management” written on the front of the card. The card number was XXX0880012000574 and had an expiration date of 05/14.
The card swipes resulted in error messages and the clerks either entered the card number manually or “Mahoney” used a second card: XXX0880012003024.
“Mahoney” was photographed by store surveillance cameras. Investigators said he appears to be a white male adult, between 20-30 years of age, approximately 5`10” and 170 pounds. He has a shaved head with a receding hairline.
He was wearing a dark colored button up dress shirt with long sleeves, dark colored dress pants and dark colored dress shoes. The dress shirt was pulled up to his mid forearms with an indistinguishable tattoo along with a large letter “Z” or “N” on his left forearm. He was seen leaving in a newer, red Honda-type “sports car,” possibly a Honda Fit.
“Mahoney” has apparently used the same scheme recently at jewelry stores in Santa Rosa and Healdsburg.
Contact Sonoma County Sheriff’s Property Crimes detectives if you have further information @ 707-565-2185.
