Men distract Miami Beach gas station clerk to place skimmer on keypad, police say

Employee discovers device Thursday morning after it becomes loose

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach police are searching for two men who they believe distracted a gas station employee Wednesday so they could put a credit card skimmer on a keypad near the register.

Police said the incident happened about 9:30 p.m. at a Chevron Gas Station at 1453 Alton Road.

Surveillance video from the convenience store shows one of the men speaking to the clerk while the other man places a skimmer over the payment keypad near the register.

Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said the morning attendant called police Thursday morning after the skimmer became loose from the keypad.

Crime scene investigators took custody of the device.

Rodriguez said police are urging the public to use EMV-chipped cards whenever possible, because the chip provides a secure encrypted transaction.

Anyone with information about the identity of the men is asked to call police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.