Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) say their prompt action helped stop an interstate fraud scheme that resulted in dozens of charges against a New York man.
Caiteng Li, 23, faces 67 charges, including 13 counts of credit card theft, credit card fraud, receiving goods by deception, identity theft with intent to defraud, and obtaining money by false pretenses, as well as possession of controlled substances and driving without a license.
On August 24, at about 9:14 p.m., officers responded to a Wawa convenience store in the 100 block of Garrisonville Road after a California man claimed that his credit card was being used without his permission at the establishment. Upon arrival, SCSO authorities discovered 11 fraudulent transactions at the store.
Using store surveillance footage, deputies located Li and a black Nissan parked behind the store. Authorities began canvassing adjacent Wawa stores and learned that Li had reportedly made another fake purchase at the Austin Park Drive branch and attempted another on Wonder Road, which was denied.
According to SCSO officials, deputies waited at the Wawa on Richmond Highway, and Li arrived minutes later. Li was arrested shortly after matching his identity to the surveillance image.
According to authorities, Li did not have a valid driver’s license and was in possession of suspected controlled narcotics, money orders, and Wawa receipts from recent transactions.
“This case shows great teamwork by deputies who were proactive and shared critical information quickly,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Li was brought to Rappahannock Regional Jail and booked based on the allegations. On Wednesday, he was being held without bond.