Somerset Mall thieves stole credit cards, created new cards in parking lot, went back in to shop

Five suspects have been arrested after stealing Somerset Mall shoppers' credit cards making fake new ones right in the mall's parking lot.

They started their spree at Panera Bread on Big Beaver, stealing a wallet, then the swindlers headed into Somerset.

Three of them went to the food court.

"Two of them sat down at a table next to a where a lady had been sitting having lunch but had her purse hanging on the chair next to her," Troy Police Capt. Bob Redmond said.

Snatching her wallet, the group left the mall and hopped into their van, where they kept some advanced equipment.

"They had all these printing utensil tools that are required to make false credit cards," Redmond said.

Police say they spent about $20,000 over two hours.

After using the cards, police say the thieves went back outside, created more cards and continued to shop.

"They would take one card and just change it to another, but a different name," Redmond said.

But victims noticed their cards were missing and contacted mall security.

Troy police say with the help of Somerset security, after two hours of watching and waiting, they caught all five later that same day. 

Police discovered dozens of victims' information, not just from Michigan but also New Hampshire and Kentucky.

"There are 40 or 50 potential victims right there alone just based on that part of the tape that we were able to read of the evidence," Redmond said.

Facing four years in prison, four of the five have admitted their guilt so far.

Police believe Darryl Patrick is the ring leader and believe they're part of a much larger group.

They all quickly posted their $150,000 bonds.