Police make arrest in stolen credit card case

POST FALLS - A 19-year-old Post Falls man is a suspect in multiple auto burglaries and purchasing new electronics with stolen credit cards before pawning them off.

Theodore James Waterman was arrested on felony charges of burglary and criminal possession of a credit card during a traffic stop on Monday after police obtained video of him making the purchases.

He is being held at the Kootenai County jail on a $30,000 bond.

"He's admitted to using five different people's credit cards," said Post Falls Police Detective Rod Gunderson. "The indication is that these thefts occurred in unlocked cars."

Gunderson said the burglaries occurred in the parking lots of Peak Fitness and the Wal-Mart on Mullan Avenue.

A variety of electronics were allegedly purchased with the stolen credit cards at the Wal-Mart. Waterman then allegedly took the items to local pawn shops. After burglary victims reported their losses, including their stolen credit card numbers, Wal-Mart obtained video of Waterman buying items with the cards and the suspect's brown Ford pickup.

An officer spotted the vehicle near the police station at Greensferry and Polston and pulled Waterman over.

Gunderson said Waterman allegedly made at least $2,000 worth of fraudulent purchases and more victims are coming forward.

"The root of the whole case seems to be getting money for narcotics," Gunderson said.

Two of Waterman's alleged accomplices have been interviewed, but have not been charged, Gunderson said.

"They've admitted to roles in this and received some residual benefits such as gas and food," he said.