CHAMPAIGN - As quickly as they're stolen, criminals are using someone else's credit cards and debit cards. Champaign investigators say it's not uncommon for stolen cards to be used within 10 to 15 minutes of them being taken. In this week's Crime Watch report, Champaign police need your help to find a woman using stolen debit cards. She was seen using them at various businesses across town. This surveillance picture was taken at a local bank, while she used the card at an A-T-M. Police say this type of crime is common. Chris Young with the Champaign Police Department says, "Just coming off the Christmas season, we noticed our usual upswing with thefts of that type. But for the most part, it stays pretty common." He reminds everyone to keep a close on your purse or wallet. Meanwhile, police are also looking for a man who took money from the Jimmy John's on Kirby in Champaign. It happened last week. The suspect is described as a black man between 17 and 23 years old, 5-feet 7-inches tall and around 130 pounds. He wore a ski mask, blue jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt. If you have any information on either crime, call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 373-TIPS. You don't have to give your name or testify in court and a reward is offered.
