On August 23, 2023, two individuals from Orlando, Florida, were arrested for attempting to purchase car parts using fraudulent credit cards in Laurel police said Thursday.
Officials said at around 10:05 a.m. authorities responded to West Side Auto Parts, located at 4740 Sharptown Road in Laurel for reports of suspicious activity involving an individual trying to make purchases using multiple unauthorized credit cards.
Upon arrival, the suspects drove away from the scene in a U-Haul van. The officers followed the van and stopped it at Ellis Grove Road and Collins Lane in Laurel.
A subsequent search of the U-Haul van revealed various items, including cell phones, tablets, unused gift cards, and automotive parts. Additionally, a credit card scanner and embosser machine were discovered police said. Officials said the two men in the van, 19-year-old Ernest Ashlet, and 30-year-old Sebastien Mombes, were taken into custody.
Further investigation at West Side Auto Parts uncovered that the suspects had used stolen information from six credit cards in an attempt to purchase over $22,000 worth of car parts. according to police.
Ernest Ashlet and Sebastien Mombes were charged with possession of a payment card scanning device, possession of instruments facilitating identity theft, organized retail crime over $1,500, possession of forgery devices (2 counts), theft over $1,500 (5 counts), unlawful use of a payment card over $1,500 (5 counts), conspiracy second degree, unlawful use of a payment card under $1,500, theft under $1,500, and receiving stolen property under $1,500 (2 counts).
Both suspects were arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution. Bail was set at $45,000 cash for Ernest Ashlet and $43,000 secured for Sebastien Mombes.