Man Accused of Stealing Credit Cards From Grapevine Gym, Using Them Across North Texas
FORT WORTH, Texas - A South African national with previous federal convictions has been charged with stealing credit cards from gym patrons and using them to make fraudulent purchases across North Texas in what federal authorities say was a yearslong scheme.
Craig George McLachlan was charged Aug. 25 in a federal criminal complaint with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Federal investigators say McLachlan used numerous aliases, including "Craig Pritchard," "Clive Morgan Pritchard," "Jeffrey Moore," "Joseph Robert Almond," "John Paul Loisel" and "Francis Castanho."
According to the complaint, McLachlan targeted gyms across Texas, stealing wallets and credit cards from unlocked lockers or unattended bags before using the cards to buy electronics, meals, groceries and other merchandise.
Investigators linked him to reports dating to February 2018.
Homeland Security Investigations and police departments in Southlake, Coppell, Plano, University Park, Richardson, Grapevine, Flower Mound and Austin were among the agencies that investigated cases with a similar pattern.
Authorities connected McLachlan to alleged thefts at YMCA locations, Texas Family Fitness, Summit Climbing Gym, Life Time Fitness, Impact Fitness and Club 4 Fitness.
The stolen cards were allegedly used at retailers and restaurants including Whole Foods, Best Buy, REI, St. Bernard Sports, Trader Joe's, Spec's, Central Market and Home Depot.
The federal complaint details one incident on Jan. 10 in Grapevine. Investigators say McLachlan used the name "Jeffrey Tims" to obtain a day pass at Club 4 Fitness and then stole a gym patron's Chase Sapphire and AAdvantage Mastercard credit cards.
He allegedly charged more than $1,500 to the cards at stores and restaurants across North Texas. Investigators said surveillance footage from Central Market and Home Depot showed McLachlan using one of the stolen cards.
Grapevine police took McLachlan into custody Feb. 5 after officers located him driving a black 2020 Ford F-150 in Dallas.
Federal authorities said McLachlan has previous convictions for illegal reentry, firearms offenses, passport fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to prosecutors, he is unlawfully present in the United States and has an outstanding deportation order.
Homeland Security Investigations' Dallas Field Office led the investigation with assistance from law enforcement agencies across Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen is prosecuting the federal case.
