Pickpockets are despised. When it happens, the victim usually wants prison and high bail. That is exactly what is happening to Byron Alejandro Contreras-Fuentes. He is allegedly part of a large pick pocket ring what targeted people in Bucks County. He was arrested last week, in Hackensack New Jersey.
Plumstead Police said that Contreras-Fuentes was in the Marshall’s Home Goods store for a report of a theft. A lady complained that her wallet was missing. She had it when she came in the store. Detectives examined the security camera footage and found Contreras-Fuentes was in the store with three other males and one female.
They distracted the lady and drew her attention away from her pocketbook. When her guard was down one of the thieves allegedly reached inside and removed the wallet. They then went to stores and used the victims credit card at a Wal-Mart in Warrington to steal $1000.00 worth of goods. In addition to that, police said they tried to make an online purchase of $1000.00 but failed.
Police used license plate readers, camera technology and other investigative tools to track down those that they say are responsible for the thefts. Police secured arrest warrants for Juan Aravena-Aguirre, Priscila Christiansen, Byron Contreras-Fuentes, Jaime Molina Olea and Cristobal Yanezdupuy, all citizens of Chile. The suspects were charged with Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Identity Theft and Access Device Fraud, all felonies of the 3rd degree. On September 1, 2023, the suspects were taken into custody without incident by the South Hackensack Police Department and transported to Bergen County Prison, where they await extradition to Bucks County Pennsylvania.
Contreras-Fuentes was extradited back to Bucks County and is now lodged in the Bucks County Prison under $150,000 bail.