Middletown Police Seize Card Skimmer, Crack In Apartment Raid

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A Middletown man convicted several times for similar offenses is in custody on a $75,000 bond after a raid at his apartment uncovered a drug operation and credit card skimming device, an arrest warrant indicates.

Arron McRae, 42, is due for a second court appearance in the case on March 7, judicial system records show. He was arrested on. Feb. 7 and charged with the illegal use of a scanning device, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and the use of drug paraphernalia, according to the Middletown Police Department arrest log.

After an informant bought narcotics from McRae, the raid took place at an apartment in Middleown after police secured a search warrant, according to a warrant. Detectives made their located McRae, $193 in U.S. currency and three clear plastic bags containing crack cocaine in his pants pockets, according to a warrant.

In McRae's backpack, police located a digital scale with white powder residue on it, a large plastic bag containing numerous smaller plastic bags, a box of baking powder (which aids in cutting down crack) and a "Flipper zero DEV board skimming device," a warrant indicates. Also in the pack were several debit, gift, and blank cards, according to a warrant.

On the chair on which McRae was sitting were a digital scale with white powder residue on it, according to a warrant.

Police found small remnants of crack on a dresser and kitchen table.

McRae stated that the drugs in the apartment were his, according to a warrant.

"The total amount of narcotics discovered during the investigation is significantly more than a typical user would have in their possession," detectives said in a warrant. In all, the crack weighed 27.3 grams in total with a street value of $2,730, "if sold at the current rate of $10/.1 gram," according to a warrant.

"Street crime detectives know that it is common for persons involved in criminal activity commonly utilize a card skimmer to steal credit card information from card holders. They can then transfer the stolen information onto a blank card and make purchases," according to a warrant.

Police said a criminal history check of McRae revealed several convictions — in April 2016 for possession of a controlled substance and probation violation; in May 2015 for third-degree forgery, issue a bad check, sixth-degree larceny and narcotics possession; in August 2008 for possession of narcotics; and in June 2007 for second-degree threatening, the sale of narcotics, and probation violation.