“B. S.” a known female, “Victim” herein, called Blaine police to report fraudulent charges on her bank account via her debit card on or about 4/30/2023. She lives at [ADDRESS REDACTED]. NE, Ham Lake, Anoka County. Reviewing her checking account statements to which her debit card is tied to, there were three fraudulent transactions made with the card. The first was at the Amoco in Brooklynn Park ([ADDRESS REDACTED] N Brooklyn Park, MN 55445) for $20.60. The second place the card was used was at the Burlington Coat Factory ([ADDRESS REDACTED]. NE Blaine, MN 55434) Anoka County, for $1,341.44; and the Holiday Station Store #0700 ([ADDRESS REDACTED]. NE Blaine, MN, Anoka County) for $45.19. All three transactions totaled $1,407.23. Video stills were collected of the two persons, together, using the card at Burlington.
The Victim remembers giving her Huntington Bank debit card as payment for a meal at Rodizio Grill but could not recall if the card had been returned to her. Police went to Rodizio Grill where they spoke with a manager, “JG.” JG reviewed the surveillance photo from Burlington of the female, whom he thought it was an ex-employee, July Torrez [DOB REDACTED] *AKA- Pesantez Calva, Angelgica Esther* “Defendant 1” herein. JG then reviewed the surveillance photo of the male, and was very sure it was a current employee, Yasmani Almeida [DOB REDACTED]“Defendant 2” herein, who is married to July Torrez.
Police then showed JG a social media group photo of the Rodizio Grill staff, and he pointed out D1 and D2 in the photograph. Police spoke to D2 at Rodizio Grill, and he stated he found Victim's card on the ground outside of the restaurant when he was taking out the trash on 4/30/2023. He thought the card was expired but wasn't sure. D2 admitted to using the card at the gas station (Holiday) and at Burlington. When asked about the Amoco transaction, he said that it was not him. I asked D2 if he knew the card was not his and he stated he did.
While investigating this case, police found D2’s Facebook account. In a picture dated May 2, 2023, D2 is wearing the same shoes he was wearing in the security photo from Burlington. There are also several photos of D1 on D2's page, which match the female from the Burlington Security photographs. The Victim provided police with a screenshot of her bank activity which showed a purchase from the Burlington Coat Factory in Blaine for $1,341.44, as well as charges for $45.19 at the Holiday Station stores and $20.60 at the Amoco station.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 609.49, the failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances is itself a criminal offense that may result in additional criminal charges in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
