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PORT RICHEY — A 76-year-old woman went to Macy's at Gulf View Square mall on Saturday to buy some makeup. When she forgot her Macy's credit card on the counter, authorities say, the cashier pocketed it and went on a $2,500 spending spree with another Macy's employee.
The two employees — Nelson DeLeon, 18, and Hector Cintron Jr., 23, both of Port Richey — were arrested Tuesday, along with Fallon Brooks, 24, of New Port Richey, another Macy's employee who knowingly rang up the charges on the stolen card in exchange for sunglasses and other items, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
A report states the two men's purchases included cologne, perfume and shoes. Macy's did not wish to comment Wednesday.
The occupation sections of the trio's arrest sheets were left blank.
The three people are charged with two counts of scheme to defraud. DeLeon and Cintron are also charged with two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. The Sheriff's Office said a loss prevention officer at Macy's spotted the three employees finishing a shoe sale and appearing "very nervous," the report states. The officer researched the transaction and called the card owner, who discovered her credit card was missing, authorities said.
When questioned by a deputy, Cintron said "he knows using the card was wrong but he could not resist the temptation," the report states.
DeLeon, who is accused of originally pocketing the card, is being held at the Pasco jail in lieu of $30,000 bail. Cintron is being held in lieu of $24,000 bail. Brooks was released Wednesday on $20,000 bail.
Erin Sullivan can be reached at esullivan@tampabay.com or (727) 869-6229.
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