Gainesville Police arrested a local man Tuesday morning after police said he used his father’s credit card to spend more than $44,000.
About 7:40 a.m. Tuesday, police arrested Stephen W. Maxwell, 38, for using his father’s Discover credit card between Feb. 25, 2014, and June 30, 2015, according to a police report.
Despite not having permission from his father, Maxwell still used the card to make 870 transactions that totaled about $44,305, according to the report.
Maxwell mostly used the card at bars, amusement parks, golf courses and fast-food restaurants, according to the report.
The father did not press charges, but then challenged the payments with Discover, which refunded all 870 purchases, according to the report.
Maxwell told police he had permission to use the card, and his father said the opposite. Police decided Maxwell used the card unlawfully and caused Discover to lose money, according to the report.
Maxwell declined to comment.
Police arrested Maxwell on charges of larceny involving more than $20,000, fraud involving the use of another person’s identification and fraud to obtain property valued at more than $20,000.
Authorities took him to the Alachua County Jail where he was released Wednesday afternoon on his own recognizance.
Contact Giuseppe Sabella at gsabella@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @Gsabella
