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Crime & Safety

Young Acton Thieves Use Stolen Credit Card for X-Box, PlayStation & Food

The following information was supplied by the Concord District Court. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

On Tuesday, June 19, Max Comjean, 18, of 3 Deacon Hunt Drive, Acton, and John Williams, 21, of 47 Drummer Road, Acton, were arrested and charged with:

  • Larceny under $250
  • Larceny over $250
  • Receiving stolen property (credit card)
  • Improper use of credit card

...here's why:

Max and John were caught red-handed using the stolen credit card at on Tuesday. Here is what is a bit crazy and courageous – The man who's credit card was stolen was notified by American Express that his card was being used at Kmart and decided to take action in his own hands, literally. Instead of informing the police, Michael Plate rushed to Kmart and grabbed his credit card right from the hands of John Williams. 

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How was the card stolen?

According to Plate, his wife's car was broken into the previous night and the card was stolen, along with several other items.

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When police arrived at the scene scene they witnessed a young man with a bloody nose running from Kmart employees. Williams was grabbed by a Kmart employee and was later spoken to by an officer.

What was purchased on the card at Kmart?

According to the Kmart employee, John Martin, a Sony PS Vita handheld PlayStation was purchased for $318.74. Then, an X-Box 360 was purchased for $317.48 (the one-year warranty was purchased as well). The officer identified the credit card number on the receipts matching Mr. Plate's credit card.

It was then when Williams was arrested along with Max Comjean, who was later found at the scene.

More was purchased on the card:

It was discovered that Williams and Comjean used the stolen credit card at for two separate charges of $50.00 and $24.40. A gift card for $25.00 was also purchased at CVS on Massachusetts Avenue. A $25.00 purchase was made at Chipotle and a $100.00 purchase was made at Best Buy.

But we didn't actually steal the credit card:

According to an officer on scene, Comjean said that he received the credit card from Miles Hartling, of 32 Jackson Drive, Acton, who stole it from a car the previous night.

In hindsight:

1. Don't leave credit cards or money in your car.

2. Although brave, maybe it's best to call the police before confronting a criminal.

3. American Express is Johnny-on-the-spot with identifying improper uses of your stolen credit card.

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