Two women, including one U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee, were recently arrested for fraudulently using a stolen credit card, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) announced Wednesday.  

According to GPD press release, a GPD investigator received an online report in June from a woman who said someone had used her credit card—which she hadn’t received in the mail—at multiple locations in Gainesville and Orlando.  

Surveillance obtained from two locations showed Alexcia Higgs and/or Samantha Johnson purchasing liquor and fireworks using the victim’s stolen credit card, GPD reported. After further inquiry, investigators learned that Johnson was a U.S. Postal Service employee and several victims of mail theft and credit card fraud lived along her postal route, according to the release.  

GPD suspected Johnson of being involved with multiple credit card accounts fraudulently accessed. GPD obtained a search warrant for Johnson’s residence and served it with the assistance of Alachua County Sheriff’s Office SWAT members. Investigators located mail and credit cards belonging to postal customers that lived on her route, which Johnson allegedly stole while employed as a USPS carrier, according to GPD. 

Officers arrested both Johnson and Higgs and they were charged with unlawful use of a stolen credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card and petit theft. Additional charges will be forthcoming.  
 
GPD asks that if anyone believes they may be a victim of fraud, to contact the Combined Communication Center at 352-955-1818 to file a report.