Two Accused of Credit Card Fraud Spree on El Paseo

A man and a woman were arrested Sunday in Palm Desert on suspicion of credit card fraud at businesses on El Paseo Drive, a sheriff's sergeant said.

The suspects were identified in inmate records as Zhichong Zhang, 23, of San Gabriel, and Jiao Liu, 27, of Alhambra. Zhang remained locked up Tuesday at Indio Jail and Liu was released on $5,000 bail Monday.

Deputies were called about 2:50 p.m. Nov. 10 for reported "multiple incidents of credit card fraud occurring at several businesses" in the 73000 block of El Paseo, Sgt. Andy Martinez of the Palm Desert Station said in a statement.

"The victim explained to officers that he was alerted by his bank to several large credit card transactions on his account that had just taken place at named businesses on El Paseo," Martinez said. "The victim responded to those businesses to seek information and alert the police."

Deputies contacted the affected retailers, and some were able to provide a description of the two suspects, Martinez said.

"During a search for the suspects in the heavily populated business district, officers located and detained the suspects who were carrying multiple shopping bags from the affected businesses and also found to be in possession of various other credit cards that were suspected of being fraudulent," Martinez said.

The suspects, identified as Zhang and Liu, were arrested and booked in Indio on the charges of burglary, conspiracy and fraudulent use of credit cards, Martinez said.

Anyone with more info was urged to call Deputy Little of the Palm Desert Station at (760) 836-1600.