BNPD responded to Home Depot just before 1:45 p.m. Thursday in reference to a possible fraud. Store asset protection members had identified a suspect from an earlier fraud that occurred at the Cabot Home Depot, where the suspect had used stolen account information to purchase over $4000 in merchandise. Another attempt was made at the Conway location, but the transaction was denied.
BNPD officers were able to detain two individuals who were occupants of the suspect vehicle without incident, and subsequently, a third suspect inside the store was taken into custody without incident after attempting to purchase more materials with the stolen account information.
Marvin Velasquez, 27, of Little Rock, and Juan Guardado, 43, of Alexander, were both charged with Computer Fraud and Theft of Property. The third suspect, a juvenile, is not being charged. This investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Benton Police Department at 501-776-5947 or 501-778-1171, or via the tip line at 501-315-TIPS. Anonymous tips may also be sent via text to 847411 with the keyword BENTONPD in the body of the message or via the official Benton Police Department app available on iTunes and Google Play.