Newton Police Department says one of the three men arrested in Marshalltown earlier this month for several credit card fraud incidents is also responsible for the skimming activities recently reported at local gas stations, and they have charged him multiple felonies.
According to a Jan. 21 press release, 30-year-old Yohannis Bacardi-Bague, of Missouri, has been charged with second-degree theft, identity theft, unauthorized use of credit card and illegal use of scanning device, all of which are Class D felonies. Bacardi-Bague is currently in custody at Marshall County Jail.
Marshalltown Police Department arrested three subjects in early January for their roles in an ongoing credit card fraud investigation. In addition to the arrest of Bacardi-Bague, Marshalltown authorities also arrested Alieski Perez Hernandez, 38, and Oscar Rodriguez Alcaraz, 26, both of Florida.
Local police in Marshalltown began their credit card fraud investigation in late December 2024. It was suspected that a credit card skimmer was being involved in the crimes, and police would later recover a device from a gas pump located at the Casey’s, 1009 W. Lincoln Way, in Marshalltown.
Marshalltown police say they heard from more than 30 victims who reported credit card fraud on their accounts. The victims said they used their cards at the Walmart, 2802 S. Center St., and Git N Go, 3302 S. Center St., in Marshalltown. Surveillance video was obtained and the suspects were developed.
Newton police encountered similar reports when credit card fraud was reported. Skimming activity was suspected at the Git N Go, 801 First Ave. W., in Newton back in late August. Additionally, the World To Go gas station, 405 First Ave. E., experienced suspected skimming activities just a month later.
In December, skimming devices made a resurgence once again at the Git N Go. Residents had pointed to more fraudulent credit card transactions on their accounts after purchasing gas. Newton police compared case facts with investigators in Marshalltown and found Bacardi-Bague was responsible.
Newton Police Rob Burdess said there is nothing more invasive than someone stealing your identity or money from your bank account. This case required hours of joint investigative work between Marshalltown and Newton as well as analysis from video evidence collected from license plate reader cameras.
In January 2024, the Newton City Council approved the installation of license plate reader cameras installed in select locations within city limits. Police said it would increase public safety and provide officers access to a network of other communities with similar surveillance systems to track fleeing criminals.
“Without the diligence of the police officers and use of the ALPR (automated license plate reader) cameras, this case would have gone unsolved,” Burdess said in the press release. “It’s rewarding to bring some closure for the victims involved.”