Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who racked up hundreds of dollars in charges at two stores within a matter of 30 minutes, then returned to the same store two months later attempting to pull the same scam for a third time.

Lee County deputies say the unknown man used a fraudulent credit card, using information skimmed from a legitimate card, at two area Publix stores. The first incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on April 15, when he purchased more than $550 in gift cards at the Publix supermarket on Fiddlesticks Road. Just 20 minutes later, that same person charged up $340 in gift cards at the Publix located just down the street, on Daniels Parkway.

The fraudulent charges weren’t detected by the real card holder until two days later, at which point the credit card was cancelled. The account holder was a New York resident, who was still in possession of his actual card. Neither he, nor investigators, can be sure where his credit card information was actually skimmed and placed onto the

fraudulent card – it could have been in his home state of New York, while he vacationed in Florida, or from on-line purchases.

In a bold move, the same suspect showed back up at the same Publix location on Fiddlesticks Road on June 19, attempting to purchase more gift cards with the fraudulent credit card. An alert clerk, who remembered the man from the April 15 incident, called the

credit card company to verify the card before the purchase could be completed.

While she was on the phone, the suspect appeared on surveillance videos to be fidgeting, then made a phone call and quickly left the store before he could be detected.

Investigators say the suspect in all three instances was the same individual. They are seeking any information on his identity, and his current whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards.