Traffic stop on I-70 yields 23 re-encoded credit cards, arrest
LITTLE POINT -- On Thursday afternoon, an Indiana State Police commercial enforcement trooper stopped a Kenworth tractor-trailer for inspection on eastbound Interstate 70 near the 52-mile marker in Morgan County about 12:45 p.m.
During conversation with the driver, the trooper noticed several indicators of possible criminal activity. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 23 re-encoded credit cards.
Re-encoding is when the card is wiped clean, and in this case personal bank account information is placed on the card.
The cards used in this type of crime are usually prepaid credit cards and can be purchased anywhere.
The driver of the semi was transporting fresh produce from Los Angeles to Boston.
The driver, Azat Toufekchian, 63, of Panorama City, Calif., was arrested and incarcerated in the Morgan County Jail at Martinsville on felony counts of fraud and counterfeiting.