Drug use paints part of the picture in a disturbing case of Credit Card theft out of Duchesne County that has many victims. 32-year-old Andrew Shane Encoe was booked into Duchesne County Jail on Friday for investigation of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges including ten counts of unlawful possession of a financial transaction card. Duchesne County deputies say “the photo gallery on Encoe’s cellphone contained images of other people’s credit and debit cards” and anyone who has dined at the Sandstone Pizza & Grill in Hanna where Encoe worked are urged to check their bank statements for unauthorized charges. The Probable Cause Statement for Encoe’s arrest describes the October 13th search of Encoe’s home in which heroin, glass pipes used to smoke methamphetamine, and various other drug paraphernalia were uncovered in addition to multiple identification, social security, and transaction cards. Inside Encoe’s Volkswagen Jetta was found tools consistent with vehicle burglaries including a pry bar, small screw drivers, two large bolt cutters, wrenches and a battery jump box. Encoe was arrested following the search and once at the Duchesne County Jail he was observed pulling items including a syringe and heroin from his body while on the toilet. Drugs and theft often go hand in hand and both are an ongoing issue in the Uintah Basin. Average citizens become the victims through home and vehicle break ins as well as other forms of theft such as in this case. For much of the year, agencies throughout the Basin have urged residents to be cautious, lock up homes and vehicles, and report suspicious behaviors or instances of scams or fraud. It’s always a good idea to review financial accounts for unauthorized charges. Any Basin residents who discover unauthorized charges on an account after dining at the Sandstone Pizza and Grill are asked to call the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office at
435-738-2015
.
