A 59-year-old Maryland man was arrested in Connecticut this week after he tried to use two stolen credit cards at two different jewelry stores in Greenwich.
Authorities said Thomas J. Wilson, of Gambrills, MD., first tried to use a credit card belonging to a “Gary Filed” on November 9, at Betteridge Jewelers.
They said he tried to purchase $56,175 worth of jewelry but the card was declined. The store contacted the police but by the time they arrived Wilson had already left the store without incident.
On November 12, Wilson returned to Greenwich and tried to use a different credit card belonging to a “Wayne Land” at a different jewelry store and this time he was arrested.
Police said they were able to arrest Wilson, who also had a fake driver’s licenses in the card holders’ names, by working with the merchants.
After Wilson tried to use the first stolen card police contacted Lux, Bond & Green and asked them to be on the lookout for “Mr. Field”. They also provided the store with a description of suspect. Three days later when Wilson returned to town and tried to purchase a $8,950 Rolex GMT watch, employees at the store recognized him and called the cops.
When he was first questioned by police Wilson gave his name as “Wayne Land” and presented them with a driver’s license, which turned out to be bogus.
It was while he was at Greenwich Police Headquarters, where he was fingerprinted, his true identity was revealed.
He was charged with identity theft, forgery and second degree larceny.
Police said Wilson is also wanted in New York on two felony warrants. Details on those charges were not available at press time.
Wilson has been arrested in the past for armed robberies, aggravated assault and narcotics offenses.
