HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas - Three men have been arrested in connection with a multi-state credit card fraud scheme that began with the theft of credit cards from a victim at Coleman Park in Hopkins County, authorities said.
According to the Hopkins County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID), investigators were notified on May 31, 2026, that three credit cards had been stolen from a victim at Coleman Park.
The victim reported that all three cards were fraudulently used later that same day at a Walmart store. Investigators determined the purchases occurred at approximately 12:34 p.m. and totaled $4,239.98.
Authorities said the suspects used the stolen credit cards to purchase gift cards and other merchandise.
On June 1, Walmart Loss Prevention personnel provided investigators with surveillance footage and transaction receipts. Video footage showed three male suspects making the purchases before leaving the store and walking across the parking lot toward the Super Handy area.
Investigators worked with several local businesses to gather additional surveillance footage. Video from nearby businesses showed two of the suspects walking across the Super Handy property toward the Wing Stop parking lot.
Further footage obtained from Cody Drug on Broadway Street captured a gray Toyota Highlander arriving in the area. Investigators observed three individuals exit the vehicle before heading toward Walmart.
Using FLOCK camera technology, detectives identified the vehicle as a gray Toyota Highlander bearing Maryland license plates registered to Cristopher Alejandro Orellana Pavez.
Investigators compared surveillance footage with a Maryland driver's license photograph and determined Pavez matched one of the suspects seen inside Walmart.
The identities of the other two suspects were later established through the investigation.
On June 3, law enforcement officers in Coweta County, Georgia, located and stopped the suspect vehicle. Hopkins County investigators provided Georgia authorities with surveillance images from the Walmart incident.
Deputies with the Coweta County Sheriff's Office confirmed the three occupants matched the individuals seen in the surveillance footage.
The additional suspects were identified as:
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Cristopher Alejandro Orellana Pavez
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Richardo Alejandro Bernales-Navarro
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Pablo Joaquin Salazar-Troncoso
During a search of the vehicle, deputies recovered clothing that investigators said matched the outfits worn by the suspects during the Hopkins County theft and fraud incident.
All three men were arrested on warrants charging them with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.
The Hopkins County Sheriff's Office thanked Walmart Loss Prevention, local businesses, the Coweta County Sheriff's Office, and other assisting agencies for their cooperation in the investigation.
The case remains under investigation.
