Statesboro man charged with theft, bank card fraud | News

STATESBORO, GA (WTOC)- A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a car break-in outside a gym in Statesboro.

A woman had reported to the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office and Statesboro police that her car had been broken in to on July 27 while she was working out at 180 Fitness in College Plaza.

After the break-in, financial cards in the victim and her mother's name had been used around Statesboro for purchases and to withdrawal cash. Sheriff's office investigators and Statesboro police detectives then started a joint investigation.

Investigators reviewed the gym's surveillance video and video from businesses where the stolen bank cards had been used. Thomas Jerome Seehof, 35, of Statesboro, was identified as the suspect in the case, according to the sheriff's office.

Seehof bought electronics from Walmart with the stolen credit cards, according to the sheriff's office. Area pawn shops were alerted.

At about 2 p.m. the staff at Pawn City recognized Seehof in their store and immediately contacted authorities. He was arrested without incident.

A follow-up investigation discovered that Seehof had made several purchases at Fastenal to a corporate account belonging to Seehof's employer, Custom Marine of Statesboro, according to the sheriff's office. The items were then sold to Pawn City.  

Seehof also stole two saltwater trolling motors from Custom Marine and sold them to Pawn City, according to the sheriff's office. All of the stolen property was located and returned to its rightful owners.

Seehof is charged with one count of second-degree burglary, one count of felony theft by taking, three counts of financial transaction card theft; five counts of financial transaction card fraud; one count of misdemeanor theft by deception; one count of felony theft by receiving stolen property and three counts of criminal attempt to commit financial transaction card fraud.

Seehof is also wanted for felony probation violation in Florida. They will extradite. He remains at the Bulloch County Jail.

Anyone with information on the case can contact Capt. Todd Hutchens at 912.764.8888.

Copyright 2012 WTOC. All rights reserved.