Traffic stop leads to credit card skimming arrest

GREENE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — A man was taken into custody Tuesday after police found credit card skimming equipment in his vehicle, according to Indiana State Police.

Troopers pulled over a vehicle they clocked going 105 mph on I-69 in Greene County, ISP said.

ISP said Jacob A. Smith, 20, of New Mexico and another person were inside. The vehicle was reportedly a rental and both occupants were not authorized to drive it, ISP said.

After securing a search warrant, troopers discovered a hidden compartment with loaded firearms and credit card skimming equipment inside. Four master skeleton keys used to unlock gas pump doors were also found.

Once installed, data from the skimmers can be wirelessly transmitted by Bluetooth to someone in the gas station parking lot, Smith reportedly told troopers.

Smith was preliminarily charged with possession of a skimming device, a level six felony; possession of a handgun without a permit, a class A misdemeanor; and reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor.

The Secret Service is investigating the case since credit card skimming equipment is involved.

ISP and Bloomington police are looking into whether this case is related to other Bloomington skimming incidents discovered on Tuesday.

To be charged with a federal offense, a skimming suspect must have affected a certain number of victims or reached a monetary threshold, ISP said.