Occurred Wednesday, September 05, 2012, 11:10am, 14050 South Padre Island Drive, Credit Card Abuse, 1209050039

                A 49-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for using stolen credit cards in Flour Bluff.

A 34-year-old man told Corpus Christi Police that his wallet was stolen from inside his truck while parked and unattended on the naval base yesterday. The 34-year-old man said his credit card was used at a hotel on Padre Island. Corpus Christi Police Officer Dean Mays went to the hotel, but the person that used the card was no longer there.

Senior Officer Mays then investigated further and discovered the card was used at several other locations in Flour Bluff including the Stripes store, Whataburger, Auto Zone, and other stores. Senior Officer Mays went to the several stores and viewed the store video records and obtained images of the suspect and the vehicle the suspect used to drive to the stores.

Senior Officer Mays broadcast the suspect vehicle description, a red Ford Explorer with a tire strapped on top, and Lieutenant Tom Nichols found the vehicle at Waldron and South Padre Island Drive. Lieutenant Nichols recognized the operator of the vehicle as 49-year-old Michael Wright (6/20/1963) and knew Wright did not have a valid driver’s license. Lieutenant Nichols initiated a traffic stop and investigated the claim of credit card abuse. Wright was arrested after a short investigation for Driving While License Suspended, No Insurance, and for the credit card abuse.