Three Detroit Men Caught With 150 Debit Cards in False Names

After three men from Michigan tried to use multiple cards in many different names at Walmart in Eden Prairie, the police were called.

On May 22, a Walmart cashier suspected something was wrong when the men tried to purchase $2,348.41 worth of Ipads, Blu-rays, gift cards, pre-paid phones and other items with the assorted credit cards. 

Eden Prairie officers found Brandon Tucker, 28; Joseph Barnes, 27; and Brian Barnes II, 29, in the parking lot. Officers saw dozens of gift cards in the car, according to the criminal complaint. Tucker produced a driver's license in another's name from Texas, Joseph Barnes produced one in another's name from Arizona, and Brian Barnes produced one in his own name from Michigan.

A search of the car produced 50 debit cards in the false name used by Brandon Tucker, 53 debit cards in the false name used by Joseph Barnes, 52 debit cards in the name used by Brian Barnes, 5 debit cards in the name of Joseph Barnes and 269 $100 gift cards and money transfer forms to the Ukraine and Pakistan. 

The men allegedly told police that a man from Michigan asked them to purchase the goods and return them to him for 10 percent of the proceeds.

The three men were each charged with one count of felony theft by swindle, and one count of felony financial card fraud.