2 Arrested In East County Debit Card Swap Scheme

LEMON GROVE, CA — Two Los Angeles County men have been arrested in connection with a series of theft and fraud cases in which victims had their debit cards secretly swapped while banking in Lemon Grove and elsewhere in San Diego County, authorities said.

Sergio Romero, 40, and Franklin Florez, 31, were arrested Tuesday after deputies and detectives with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office and San Diego Fugitive Task Force located them following another suspected fraud incident in Lemon Grove.

The investigation began in May after several people reported being targeted at Wells Fargo branches and ATMs in Lemon Grove. At least five victims, including two elderly people, were defrauded, with reported losses ranging from $100 to more than $2,700. The known losses in Lemon Grove total about $5,990, according to the sheriff's office.

Investigators said the suspects approached people while they were conducting routine banking transactions and used distraction techniques, such as offering unsolicited assistance or drawing attention away from their bank cards.

During the brief interactions, the victims' legitimate debit cards were allegedly exchanged for similar cards belonging to other people. Officials said the suspects then used the stolen cards to withdraw cash from multiple ATMs before the victims realized their cards had been replaced.

Detectives connected the Lemon Grove cases to about 15 additional incidents being investigated by police agencies in San Diego County, including the San Diego, Chula Vista and Carlsbad police departments. Wells Fargo's fraud liaison also reported about 15 similar cases in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

Investigators identified Romero and Florez as suspects and determined they were Los Angeles County residents who traveled throughout Southern California to target bank customers, according to the sheriff's office.

On Tuesday, detectives learned Romero was involved in another fraud-related incident in Lemon Grove that matched the pattern under investigation. Members of the fugitive task force began surveillance and found Romero shortly afterward. He was arrested without incident, officials said.

Florez was located with Romero and was also arrested without incident.

Romero was booked on suspicion of elder fraud, robbery, identity theft, grand theft and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Florez was booked on suspicion of robbery, identity theft and conspiracy.

Investigators said automated license plate reader information helped confirm the movements of the suspects' vehicle and locate the men.

Anyone with information about the cases was asked to call the sheriff's office at 858-868-3200. Anonymous tips can be submitted to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.