Man Arrested for Auto Break-Ins and Use of Stolen Credit Cards

--By Staff Writer on --

A 34-year-old man was arrested this week and charged with entering vehicles in Forsyth County and then using credit cards he had stolen from inside the vehicles to make purchases.

Charles Butterworth of Holcomb Road, Dawsonville, Ga. was arrested by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and charged with two counts of entering auto, three counts of financial card fraud, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects. He is currently being held with no bond at the Forsyth County Detention Center.

According to Investigator Mike Garrison, a vehicle had been entered on July 27 at “Your Serve Tennis” at 2627 Peachtree Parkway. Taken from the vehicle was an Iphone, two wallets and credit cards. The suspect immediately began making purchases at several Target stores and Lowe’s, totaling around $2,027.83, on that date. An unauthorized purchase was made on a company credit card that was stolen from the vehicle, which alerted the company and the vehicle owner that something was wrong.

Then, again on July 28, a vehicle was entered at the CVS Pharmacy at 450 Peachtree Parkway while the owner had entered the store to make a purchase. The suspect took an Iphone4, another phone and approximately $900 worth of newly-purchased children’s clothing that were going to be donated. During this theft, a description was secured of the suspect and his possible vehicle.

On the morning of July 29, deputies located a vehicle matching a description of the suspect’s vehicle at a residence located on Hulsey Road, just off of Trammel Road, in east Forsyth County. “We identified the man at the residence as the person who had been entering the autos. After a search of the residence, several items were located that were taken from the vehicles and were purchased using the stolen credit cards.”

Sheriff Ted Paxton added that it is believed that Butterworth is involved in entering auto cases and credit card fraud transactions in several other jurisdictions. “This case is still active and ongoing. We are still identifying other potential victims.”