DSP News Release: Wednesday, February 18, 2009- Subject Charged in Using Found Credit Card

Location of Incident: ShopRite, 1600 West Newport Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at approximately 5:10 p.m.

Suspect(s):  Sylvia A. Deramos, 49, of Grafton Drive in Wilmington

Resume:  Yesterday evening, Troopers responded to the Pathmark, in the Kirkwood Plaza Shopping Center, on Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, for the report of a fraud. 

When the Trooper arrived on the scene, store officials advised him that a subject identified as Sylvia Deramos had come into the store and attempted to purchase a Western Union Money Order using a stolen credit card.  The transaction was denied as the actual owner of the credit card had cancelled her card and reported it missing.  Because Pathmark officials obtained Ms. Deramos’ information, the investigating officer was then able to respond to her home and take her into custody. 

Through the Trooper’s investigation it was learned that Ms. Deramos was originally at the ShopRite on West Newport Pike when she came upon a wallet on the ground.  Instead of turning wallet in to the market’s customer service desk, Deramos opened in, removed a credit card from within, and proceeded to make a purchase with the card at the store. 

Since this original fraudulent transaction was successful, it is alleged that Deramos then went to Pathmark where she attempted to try her luck again and obtain the money order. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, Ms. Deramos was formally charged with felony Unlawful Use of a Credit Card and misdemeanor Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property.  She was released on a $3,000.00 unsecured bail. 

The investigator had occasion to speak with the victim later in the evening when it was learned that she was patroning the ShopRite when she apparently dropped her wallet somewhere in the store.  When she was unable to find the wallet, she was quick to call the credit card companies with which she had accounts. 

Sylvia Deramos