Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fugitive Arrested in Michael's Crafts Credit Card Scam
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 years ago on
January 29, 2021

Share

CAMDEN, N.J. — A California man charged in a widespread credit card scam involving arts-and-crafts retailer Michaels is back in New Jersey after several years on the run.

Jose Salazar fled to Mexico after he was indicted in 2015, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Salazar and others were accused of installing bogus point-of-sale terminals at about 80 of the stores in 19 states in 2011. The group allegedly stole about 94,000 debit and credit card numbers from the terminals and used them to create new cards and illegally withdraw cash.

Salazar, 44, of Riverside was arrested in Mexico City last September and made his initial court appearance in Camden by videoconference on Thursday, the U.S. attorney’s office said. He pleaded not guilty and was held without bail.

Salazar faces one count each of bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. The conspiracy count carries a maximum prison term of 30 years.

Two others have pleaded guilty for participating in the scheme. Angel Angulo of Riverside was sentenced in 2018 to three years in prison and ordered to pay $480,300 in restitution. Crystal Banuelos was sentenced to time served and five years’ probation.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

DON'T MISS

US Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted on Federal Charges From Skirmish at New Jersey Immigration Center

DON'T MISS

US Military Bases to Restore Names Changed After Racial Justice Protests, Trump Says

DON'T MISS

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

DON'T MISS

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

DON'T MISS

Wall Street Ends Higher as Investors Track Progress of US-China Trade Talks

DON'T MISS

Israel Strikes Hodeidah Port, Threatens Naval, Air Blockade

DON'T MISS

Trump Warns Protests at Army Parade Will Be Met With Force

DON'T MISS

Britain and Allies Sanction Israeli Far-Right Ministers for ‘Inciting Violence’

DON'T MISS

Trump Aide Criticizes Mexican President on Los Angeles Protests

UP NEXT

Do Americans Support Trump’s Use of Marines in LA? The Numbers Might Shock You

UP NEXT

Marines Will Deploy to LA for 60 Days, Costing Taxpayers $134 Million

UP NEXT

Trump Says ‘We’ll See’ if Insurrection Act Needed Amid Protests in Los Angeles

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Deploys Marines to Los Angeles, Vows to Intensify Migrant Raids

UP NEXT

Pentagon Defends Troop Deployments to Los Angeles to Protect ICE Agents

UP NEXT

Does US Law Allow Trump to Send Troops to Quell Protests?

UP NEXT

First the National Guard, Will the Marines Be Next at LA Riots?

UP NEXT

‘Everybody Stood up’: Why a Union Leader’s Arrest Galvanized California Democrats on Immigration

UP NEXT

Trump Hints He Would Support Arrest of California Governor Newsom

UP NEXT

A Solidarity Protest in San Francisco Turns Violent

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

13 hours ago

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

14 hours ago

Wall Street Ends Higher as Investors Track Progress of US-China Trade Talks

16 hours ago

Israel Strikes Hodeidah Port, Threatens Naval, Air Blockade

16 hours ago

Trump Warns Protests at Army Parade Will Be Met With Force

17 hours ago

Britain and Allies Sanction Israeli Far-Right Ministers for ‘Inciting Violence’

17 hours ago

Trump Aide Criticizes Mexican President on Los Angeles Protests

17 hours ago

Do Americans Support Trump’s Use of Marines in LA? The Numbers Might Shock You

18 hours ago

Israeli Gunfire Kills 17 People Near Gaza Aid Site, Health Officials Say

18 hours ago

Parliament Member Corbyn Calls for Inquiry Into UK Role in Gaza War

19 hours ago

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a proposal that would ban teaching antisemitism at the state’s public K-12 schools, universiti...

12 hours ago

Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, center, applauds for those affected by the Los Angeles area wildfires as she gives the State of the State address in the House of Representatives at the state Capitol with Speaker of the House Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, left, and Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, flanking the governor on Jan. 13, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP File)
12 hours ago

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., demands the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka after his arrest while protesting outside an ICE detention prison, May 9, 2025, in Newark, N.J, (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)
12 hours ago

US Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted on Federal Charges From Skirmish at New Jersey Immigration Center

President Donald Trump prepares to deliver remarks during a visit to Fort Bragg to mark the U.S. Army anniversary, in North Carolina, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
13 hours ago

US Military Bases to Restore Names Changed After Racial Justice Protests, Trump Says

13 hours ago

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

14 hours ago

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., June 5, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/ File Photo
16 hours ago

Wall Street Ends Higher as Investors Track Progress of US-China Trade Talks

A bridge crane damaged by Israeli air strikes is pictured in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen July 31, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah//File Photo
16 hours ago

Israel Strikes Hodeidah Port, Threatens Naval, Air Blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One as he departs for North Carolina at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
17 hours ago

Trump Warns Protests at Army Parade Will Be Met With Force

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend