Three NYC Men Charged with Conspiring to Illegally Use Credit Cards

Update, 1:49 p.m.:

A statement from New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowksi said, in part:

The suspects were attempting to purchase gift cards, with credit cards that were declined, which is usually a sign of criminal activity. [...]

The suspects and their vehicle were searched. Dozens of counterfeited/forged credit cards, gift cards, marijuana and other evidence were seized. [...]

It appears that these arrestees were involved in similar crimes in Darien, New York and Norwalk.

The New Canaan Police Department will coordinate ongoing investigations with other jurisdictions where the below suspects may have committed additional crimes.

If You See Something, Say Something:

We urge all New Canaan Merchants to contact us to report all suspicious persons or activity.

Original article:

Three young New York City men were charged Thursday with conspiracy to illegally use a credit card after police found several fraudulent credit cards on one of them, town police said.

Here’s the announcement from New Canaan police:

On Feb. 12 at approximately 5:45 p.m. an employee at Walgreens [at 36 Pine St.] reported two males in the store acting suspicious and attempting to purchase gift cards. A credit card used to purchase a gift card and was declined.

A second attempt to purchase a gift card with a different credit card was made and was successful. That purchase was for $600.

The two males left the store quickly and left items on the counter at the checkout. Officers made contact with the two males and observed them get into a vehicle that was waiting for them on Grove Street.

A third male was operating the vehicle. The males were interviewed and later searched after the odor of marijuana was detected.

The men were identified as Tarell Murphy, 31, of 1655 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn; Jermaine Wilson, 19, 3226 Seymour Ave., Bronx; and Naquan Grizzle, 20, of 1431 Saint Lawrence Ave., Bronx. Several gift cards and fraudulent credit cards were found on Grizzle.

A backpack belonging to Grizzle yielded marijuana, numerous glassine baggies and a scale. Marijuana was also found in a fake energy drink can used to conceal drugs. All three men were placed under arrest.

Murphy and Wilson were charged with conspiracy to commit Illegal use of credit card. Grizzle was charged with conspiracy to commit illegal use of credit card, illegal use of credit card, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All three men posted bond and will appear in Norwalk Court on Feb. 23.

New Canaan police arrest photos:

First photo: Naquan Grizzle

Second photo: Jermaine Wilson

Third photo: Tarell Murphy

Editor’s note: ages and addresses of the three arrested men were added by New Canaan Patch to the narrative of the news release from a list at the bottom of it.