Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/166173
CRIME BLOTTER Evidence recovered in the cloned credit card case is spread out on a table in the Sheriff's Office. Contributed photo TWO ARRESTED IN CLONED CREDIT CARD SCHEME CASE The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested two Lehigh Acres men for allegedly attempting to commit fraud at several Sarasota area stores with dozens of cloned credit cards, the office reported on Sept. 3. Deputies located Alfredo Torrella, 35, and Orlando Rodriguez, 39, on the night of Aug. 30 after they tried to purchase Home Depot gift cards with several credit cards that were declined, the report says. During a search of their rental vehicle, deputies found 120 counterfeit credit cards, personal information for 29 different victims and a fake driver's license, the report adds. "The suspects admitted purchasing the cards and information from someone in the Miami area for about $4,500 and were frustrated because many of the cards didn't work," a news release notes. "While the suspects made purchases in two stores, it appears deputies stopped their crime spree shortly after it began," the release adds. A deputy initiated the traffic stop because Rodriguez — the passenger — was not wearing his seatbelt. The men already were suspects in the credit card case, the report points out. Orlando Rodriguez/Contributed photo