Crime & Safety

Johnston Man Charged with Credit Card Fraud

Henry Fellela allegedly made fraudulent charges with a stolen credit card totaling more than $700.


One Johnston man's alleged attempt to fill up for free has landed him behind bars.

Henry A. Fellela, 55, of Johnston, has been charged with obtaining credit card through fraudulent means, fraudulent use of credit cards, receipt of money, goods and  services obtained by fraudulent use of credit cards and identity fraud, State Police Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell announced. 

Fellela was arrested after the alleged victim reported that a Shell Gas credit card had been stolen from his mailbox and used at various Shell gas stations throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey. Fellela was identified with the assistance of surveillance video that captured him during the commission of these crimes using a vehicle with expired registration plates that had been issued to his wife. The investigation was conducted by troopers from the Scituate barracks and detectives from the Financial Crimes Unit.

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The credit card was used 17 times at locations in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey, totaling $720.87 in fraudulent purchases. Of that amount, nine purchases totaling $369.56 were made in Rhode Island.

Fellela was arrested Thursday night at his home in Johnston. He was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace Friday morning and released on $25,000 personal recognizance. A formal arraignment and bail review is scheduled for March 14 in the Sixth Division District Court in Providence.

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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