Counterfeit Credit Card Operation Discovered in Beaverton Hotel Room

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Joanna Evoniuk, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Thomas Geter Photo credit: Beaverton Police Department

Beaverton Police uncovered a counterfeit credit card operation in a Beaverton hotel room while arresting a suspect, Thomas Geter, for identity theft, the police department reports.

Beaverton Patrol Officers said they inquired about a suspicious vehicle at a hotel with California license plates on Sunday and discovered the driver of the car was using a fake driver’s license to rent a room in the hotel.

Beaverton Detectives began investigating the suspect, Geter, and determined the vehicle has been bought with a $40,000 loan obtained by stealing a Californian’s personal information in July 2014.

The investigation led to the arrest of Geter, and the discovery of a counterfeit credit card operation in his room. Detectives seized several counterfeit credit cards, credit card making devices, approximately $1,800 in cash, and over $13,000 in new prepaid gift cards, receipts, shredded gift cards, credit cards, according to police.

Police say it appeared Geter was targeting Home Depot, Safeway, Albertsons, Walgreens, and Rite Aid stores to purchase the gift cards.

Geter appeared to be working the operation alone in Beaverton the police say, but he could be working with other suspects in California. Geter was arrested for aggravated identity theft and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, with a bail of $250,000, according to Mike Rowe, public information officer for the Beaverton Police.