Joshua Becker (Image source: YCSO)
On June 19, 2009, at approximately 1:30 A.M., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported identity theft incident at the Bell Rock Inn in the 6200 block of Highway 179, Village of Oak Creek. Deputies contacted a 41-year-old female victim who was in town for business. The victim told deputies she met “Josh” in the hotel bar and eventually invited him back to her hotel room. She did not know “Josh” but he seemed like a nice guy to spend time with. Later in the evening, “Josh” asked the victim for a ride to get some cigarettes. Although he initially denied having any cash, he now claimed to have a few dollars to purchase cigarettes.
The victim took “Josh” to the nearby Circle K and saw “Josh” signing a receipt for the cigarettes as if he purchased the items with a credit card. She then dropped “Josh” off at his home in the 300 block of Verde School Road. Upon return to the hotel, she found her room key missing along with her credit cards and driver’s license. At this time, the victim realized she had left her purse unattended while “Josh” was in the room and suspected he had stolen the property. She immediately called her credit card company and learned that “Josh” had apparently spent $61.00 for a carton of cigarettes at the VOC Circle K. The purchase occurred during the time she and “Josh” had stopped at the Circle K. Deputies contacted Circle K employees and ordered a copy of the transaction on security video and obtained a copy of the signed receipt.
Deputies then went to the home on Verde Valley School road and identified “Josh” as Joshua Becker, 24-years-old. Becker admitted meeting with female at the hotel and spending time in her room, but denied stealing anything. Upon insistence from his parents, Becker finally admitted stealing the property and hiding the items in his closet. The victim’s driver’s license and 5 of her credit cards, including the card used to purchase cigarettes, were recovered from the closet. Deputies also found the carton of cigarettes in his closet. Further investigation revealed Becker made at least two internet purchases totaling $400.00 using the victim’s cards.
Becker was arrested, and booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on 4 counts of Taking Control of Credit Card from another and 1 count of ID Theft. The charges are all felony level.
