Staff Report

Michael Wayne Vinson Jr.

WARSAW — A Ligonier man was recently arrested after making over $1,600 in unauthorized purchases with a man’s debit and credit cards.

Michael Wayne Vinson Jr., 43, 307 Mercer St., Ligonier, is charged with fraud and theft, both level 6 felonies.

On May 15, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer spoke with a man regarding unauthorized use of a debit card. The man told the officer he either lost his wallet or it was stolen on May 13.

According to court documents, the man said someone had used his debit and credit cards on May 13 and 14. A KCSO detective spoke with the man on May 21 to gather more details about the incident. The man said he last had his wallet at Menards on May 13 and realized it was missing when he returned home.

An unauthorized purchase on eBay totaling $476.15 was made on the man’s debit card. The man’s credit card had two successful transactions for online purchases, one for $490.21 and the other for $718.86. The credit card also had a declined online transaction totaling $500.

The total amount of unauthorized charges was $1,685.22.

Following the interview, the detective went to Menards to review surveillance footage from the store. The video showed that on May 13, the man who reported fraudulent activity completed a purchase and accidentally dropped his wallet on the floor. He then left the store without realizing he dropped his wallet. Shortly after that, a man was shown picking up the wallet and leaving the store in a white pickup truck.

The detective also contacted one of the online websites where an unauthorized transaction occurred and was provided the billing address used in the purchase. He contacted the Ligonier Police Department for assistance due to the reported billing address.

A Ligonier Police Detective said the billing address was a known trouble area. When provided photographs of the suspect by the KCSO detective, the Ligonier detective identified the person as Vinson.

Vinson’s employer also told officers that Vinson went to Menards on May 13 with another employee.

Vinson was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Aug. 16, with a $6,750 surety and cash bond.