OCPD Arrests Two after Series of Thefts

Aaliyah Johnson

Sean Luke

OCEAN CITY, MD – (September 9, 2015): On August 28, 2015, Ocean City police and Criminal Investigation Division Major Crimes Unit detectives began investigating a series of suspicious purchases that had been made at numerous Ocean City businesses.

During the investigation, it was learned that a female and a male were purchasing large quantities of gift cards using various types of Visa gift cards that contained stolen credit card information. Several of the purchases were contested by the credit card companies leading to the businesses suffering a loss as a result of the thefts.

A total of six businesses in Ocean City suffered a combined loss of approximately $5,500 in gift card sales between August 14 and August 20, 2015. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating additional businesses that were victimized outside of Ocean City limits.

On September 4, 2015, the suspects were located and arrested at approximately 10:30 a.m. The suspects are identified as Sean A. Luke, 23, of Rosedale, NY and Aaliyah B. Johnson, 20, of Queens, NY.

Ocean City detectives have charged Luke and Johnson with theft of less than $10,000, three counts of theft of less than $1,000 and theft scheme of less than $10,000. Both were seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and transferred to the Worcester County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Any businesses that believe they may be victims of similar thefts, please contact Detective David Whitmer at 410-520-5390 ordwhitmer@oceancitymd.gov.