Credit Card Thief Arrested

A man who allegedly bought items with a stolen credit card was arrested in Palo Alto, Palo Alto police said.

Francis Miller, 45, of Massachusetts was arrested in the 500 block of Bryant Street at approximately 11:15 a.m. after a short foot chase, police said.

Palo Alto police received a report on Dec. 19 that a Menlo Park resident had his credit card stolen from a locker at a downtown Palo Alto gym. Following the theft, the credit card was used at three businesses, Juut Salon Spa, Hemingway Tobacco, and The Sports Gallery, charging more than $2,500, police said.

Police obtained surveillance photos of Miller from the businesses and the photo was distributed to Palo Alto officers as well as officers from other local agencies, police said.

Through this, a Palo Alto officer spotted Miller standing at the corner of Bryant Street and Hamilton Avenue Wednesday. When he approached the suspect, Miller fled, police said.

Miller ran through a CVS Pharmacy at 352 University Ave. and Siam Thai restaurant at 338 University Ave. before the suspect was captured, police said.

Three officers sustained minor injuries during the chase. Miller also sustained minor injuries and was treated before being booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail, police said.

During a search of Miller's hotel room in Newark, detectives recovered some of the property fraudulently purchased with the stolen credit card. They also found a large amount of high-end clothing, watches, and purses that they believe might have been purchased with other stolen credit cards, police said.

Miller was booked for three counts of burglary, three counts of identity theft and one count of resisting arrest.

--Bay City News