Movie bandit slithered under seats to steal

[Hum]

A Philadelphia man who may have stolen as much as $70,000 per week by slithering on floors to lift credit cards from unsuspecting moviegoers has been convicted of fraud and identity theft crimes.

Anthony Johnson, 49, and several accomplices used the stolen cards for thousands of dollars in cash advances from Connecticut?s casinos and retail purchases worth tens of thousands more throughout the state and elsewhere, FBI officials announced Monday.

On a ?good? weekend, Johnson collected up to $70,000 from the scheme, one of his accomplices testified last week during his trial in U.S. District Court in Hartford. Roughly $30,000 or $40,000 was the take on a bad weekend, he testified according to The Hartford Courant.

Johnson, of Philadelphia, typically worked with female accomplices. They purchased tickets to see films geared toward female moviegoers and chose seats where they could watch where those woman stored their pocketbooks.

"Once the movie started, Johnson crawled on the floor, removed credit cards from the stored purses, and returned the wallet to the purses," according to an FBI affidavit. "Johnson crawled in this manner around the theater until he was done ? "

Johnson and one female accomplice, Lashirelle Bryant, then used the stolen credit cards to purchase gift cards, clothing, electronics, designer sunglasses and a $10,000 Rolex watch. Known in Philadelphia as "Hustlin' Tone," Johnson drove a gold Mercedes and favored designer clothing, CTPost reports.

Bryant and another female accomplice, Jamie Lynn McGowan, both testified against him last week. Johnson, who will be sentenced on Jan. 14, was convicted Monday of seven counts of authorized use of an access device and two counts of aggravated identity theft. He faces up to 74 years in prison.

source

[Growled Member]

Even though that's so wrong that's also just awesome. Imagine slinking on the floor during a movie and stealing $70,000 worth of stuff in a weeks time. That takes some serious skills.

[The Laughing Man]

"Johnson drove a gold Mercedes"

Its called keeping a low profile, you failed at this task. Dumbass.

[TPreston]

I thought he was recording the movie from the floor when I read the title

[Hum]

I hope people learn to leave their bank cards at home, and take very little cash to the movies.

[thechronic]

I hope people learn to leave their bank cards at home, and take very little cash to the movies.

Not sure where you are from but near me you are practically robbed blind at the cinema anyway. By the time you get to a seat you've got very little cash left :p

[Hum]

^ I would only go to the 'matinee' if they have one -- and I never buys the drinks and movie food. :laugh:

[Original Poster]

I like this guy ... to bad he got caught he obviously was not clever enough... its only a crime if you get caught

[*RedBull*]

That guy must be really small and skinny. The theaters where I live he could not do this.

[Hum]

^ I think he had only to be able to reach under the seats with his arms, to grab the purses that were set on the floor.