Holmes Beach Police Officer Mike Walker looked closely April 28 at the Citgo pumps known for skimming problems and found another one.
While conducting an after-hours business check at the Citgo, 3015 Gulf Drive, the officer saw an altered security tag on pump 5 at 12:37 a.m., according to an HBPD report.
The report said Walker put on gloves, opened the pump and looked for a credit card skimmer. He gathered fingerprints from the pump and contacted owner Ali Ghasemi.
Together, according to the report, they attempted but did not locate a skimming device in the machine.
Skimming devices collect personal data from magnetic strips on credit and debit cards, which thieves sell or use to make counterfeit cards and fraudulent purchases.
Ghasemi told Walker someone broke the lock and gained entry to the pump and he would review the station video of the incident.
The owner also reported skimming April 14 and a Holmes Beach officer found devices inside pumps 2 and 5.
Similar incidents were reported in May 2016.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the HBPD at 941-778-COPS (2677), or to make an anonymous tip, Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.
— Kathy Prucnell