SWISSVALE, Pa.,None — A Swissvale man was charged Wednesday with devising a scheme that enabled him to steal at least $70,000 worth of gift cards from several stores throughout Pennsylvania.
According to the criminal complaint, Jason Novak, 39, entered Lowe's and Home Depot stores empty-handed, filled a cart with expensive items, such as range hoods, carpets and sinks, and then took the items directly to the return desk to receive store credit for the stolen items.
Police said the suspect then sold the cards on Craigslist.
The charges state that Novak used the scheme at least 50 times at various Lowe's stores and at least 40 times at Home Depot stores.
Novak presented fraudulent Pennsylvania photo identification to the cashier, and each time received a gift card for the value of the returned items, officials said. Agents said they believe that Novak used at least 35 different Pennsylvania license numbers and each time signed the return receipt using the false name on the identification.
Agents executed a search warrant on Novak's home and recovered 11 fake Pennsylvania photo identification cards, three cellphones, computers and other electronic items, police said.
Novak is charged with theft by deception, identity theft and forgery, among other charges. He turned himself in to authorities Wednesday evening.
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