Ithaca man busted for credit-card theft topping $7,000 in Capital Region

SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. — New York State Police in Saratoga County announced they recently arrested an Ithaca man for stealing multiple credit cards and using them to make over $7,000 in unauthorized purchases across the county.

On Sept. 21, troopers in the town of Wilton arrested 38-year-old Robert J. Porter for 3rd degree grand larceny, 1st degree identity theft, three counts of 4th degree grand larceny, all felonies. The Ithaca man was also charged with criminal impersonation and criminal possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors.

On Sept. 16, State Police responded to a residence in the hamlet of Gansevoort after homeowners discovered that someone had gone through their vehicles overnight. Troopers later determined that multiple credits and over $300 in cash were taken.

The suspect proceeded to make more than $7,000 in unauthorized purchases with the stolen credit cards. Troopers say they conducted interviews and obtained surveillance video from the establishments where the illegal purchases were made and were able to get a description of the suspect.

While patrolling the town of Moreau, State Police located the suspect sitting on a picnic table at the Stewart’s Shops on State Route 9 and identified him as Porter. Troopers took him into custody and transported him to State Police station in Wilton for processing. Porter was in possession of a glass smoking pipe containing cocaine residue at the time of his arrest.

Porter was arraigned in Wilton Town Court and remanded to Saratoga County Jail on $5,000 cash or $10,000. He is due back in court on Sept. 28.