Restaurant Manager Steals Customers ID's to Pay for Disney Vacation's

A Lincolnshire restaurant manager is facing identity theft and money laundering charges after suburban Chicago police say he stole $50,000 to pay for more than a dozen trips to Disney World.

Florida authorities say Alexander Pera made more than 15 different reservations at the Walt Disney World Resort in five months, and took at least two Disney cruises earlier this year.

The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports that Pera, 26, is being held in the Lake County jail on $500,000 bond after being accused of stealing credit card information from about 50 customers and co-workers.

According to CBS Chicago, Pera was the manager of Eddie Merlot's, an upscale restaurant known for $50 steaks and its shrimp cocktail.

Authorities say he used the numbers from credit cards to buy gift cards and pre-paid credit cards. The station reports the initial tip came from authorities in Florida, where Pera allegedly paid for the Disney trips with pre-paid cards purchased with the stolen ones.

Investigators say Pena typically targeted patrons who used corporate cards.

When police arrested him, he reportedly had fake id's, gift cards and a loaded handgun.

Read More.... http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57592882-504083/disney-obsession-alexander-pera-ill-restaurant-manager-allegedly-stole-customer-credit-info-to-pay-for-frequent-disney-vacations/

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