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Mulberry Man Accused in Credit Card Fraud, Grand Theft

Jesus Ledesma | Hillsborough Sheriff | Arrests

He is also thought to have impersonated a law enforcement officer, Hillsborough deputies said.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY –  A Mulberry man was arrested after deputies tied him to several counts of credit card fraud stemming from incidents where he was believed to have impersonated law enforcement, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Jesus Ledesma, 37, of Mulberry, was charged with Fraudulent Use of Personal Information and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card. Late today (Dec. 28), other charges were added – two counts of Possession of a
Controlled Substance and one count each of False Personation During Commission of a Felony, Unlawful Use of Blue Light, Robbery with a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm,  and Driving With License Canceled, Suspended or Revoked.

Sheriff’s detectives said they do not think he acted alone and are still searching for another man in connection with the incidents.

About 11:06 p.m. Dec. 22, a silver SUV with a blue flashing light pulled someone over at 604 Lithia Pinecrest Road in Brandon. The victim told deputies he believed it was a routine traffic stop conducted by a law enforcement officer.

Two men approached the victim’s vehicle, one on either side, and the suspect on the driver’s side identified himself as a detective and requested the victim’s driver’s license and registration. The driver was
suspicious and requested to see the suspect’s credentials. The suspect pointed a silver revolver at the victim and demanded the victim’s wallet. The suspects fled the area with the driver’s wallet and credit cards.

About 7 p.m. Dec. 27, another victim was traveling north on Bethlehem Road between Blackjack Road and Rolling Vista Loop when a silver SUV, with red and blue lights, conducted a traffic stop. An unknown man got out of the vehicle and approached the driver’s side. He demanded the victim’s driver’s license, but he only had an identification card.

The suspect took the victim’s wallet and went back to his vehicle. He then returned it, threw the wallet on the dashboard, having stolen $515 from inside, and told the victim to “stop speeding.” The suspect returned
to his vehicle, made a U-turn and headed southbound on Bethlehem Road.

Detectives said they identified Ledesma as the suspect who used the stolen credit cards at multiple locations. They got an arrest warrant and, shortly after 8 a.m. today (Dec. 28), arrested him in Plant City.

After his arrest, detectives discovered a fully functional police light bar inside his vehicle. The investigation is still underway, but detectives said they believe that it may be the same light bar that was stolen between Dec. 20 and 21 from an HCSO patrol vehicle that was parked at Courtesy Chrysler in Brandon awaiting maintenance.

This investigation is ongoing. Detectives are looking for any additional victims and are asking anyone with further information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Crime | Arrests | Tampabay News

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