REYNOLDSVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – A Jefferson County teen accused of using a man’s debit card to steal money from his bank account will stand for a hearing on Thursday.
Court documents indicate that 19-year-old Gage T. Miller, of Punxsutawney, is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge David B. Inzana at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 15.
He faces the following charges:
- Access Device Issued to Another Who Did Not Authorize Use, Misdemeanor 1
- Identity Theft, Misdemeanor 1
- Receiving Stolen Property, Misdemeanor 1
According to a criminal complaint, on October 11, a known man reported to Officer Winfield, of the Reynoldsville Borough Police Department, that someone stole his bank debit card and used it to withdraw $340.00. The victim reported that he moved to Reynoldsville and paid Gage Miller and a second man to help him move.
The victim reported that during the move, he stopped for gas, and Miller and the other man helped him pump it. He used his debit card at the pump, giving both men several opportunities to watch him put in his personal identification number.
The victim provided Officer Winfield with a copy of the transactions, which occurred at a Reynoldsville Borough convenience store.
According to the complaint, there were three transactions at the ATM inside the store on Wednesday, September 5: at 9:22 p.m. for $120.00; at 9:23 p.m. for $120.00; and at 9:24 p.m. for $100.00. These were the only transactions that were reported to be fraudulent.
Officer Winfield contacted the number on the side of the ATM and spoke to the owner of the company who stated that he sells and services the ATM, but the store owns it and maintains the day to day operation. Officer Winfield then called and left a message for the owner of the convenience store.
According to the complaint, several days later Reynoldsville Borough Police Chief Troy Bell was able to secure video of the area of the ATM for the date and time of the ATM transactions in question.
Chief Bell showed the video to the victim who was able to positively identify Gage Miller from the video footage.
The victim later reported that Miller returned the card to him, apologized, and offered to pay the victim back the money he had stolen. The victim reported that Miller said he used the money to buy meth, according to the complaint.
Officer Winfield made contact with Miller on Friday, October 5, and asked him about helping the victim move.
According to the complaint, Miller said that he helped the victim move, and when questioned about the theft and confronted with the evidence, he allegedly said that “he didn’t know why he did it.”
Charges were filed in Magisterial District Judge David B. Inzana on Thursday, October 11.
A certified summons was issued on Tuesday, October 16.
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