A 29-year-old Cedartown man has been arrested in connection with a vehicle break-in and fraudulent use of stolen financial cards, local authorities reported. Andrew Steven Raper is facing multiple charges, including financial transaction card fraud, financial transaction card theft, and entering an automobile with the intent to commit a crime.
According to police reports, the victim, identified only as Brandon, told officers he arrived at work around 6:00 a.m. and left his truck unlocked. When he returned to the vehicle at approximately 10:00 a.m., he discovered that both his camo-style zippered lunchbox and wallet were missing.
The stolen wallet contained the victim’s Georgia driver’s license, fishing license, a Truist debit card, and a credit card. Upon checking his account, the victim found that his debit card had already been used twice that morning: once at Plaza Citgo on West Rome Highway at 7:04 a.m. for $15.65, and again at Murphy USA, also on West Rome Highway, at 7:35 a.m. for $1.83.
Authorities were able to identify Raper as a suspect during their investigation. He was taken into custody and is currently facing the listed charges as the case proceeds.
Police are reminding residents to keep their vehicles locked and valuables out of sight, even in familiar areas or during work hours.
