A 19-year-old from Rohnert Park is facing three felony charges after authorities said he tried to use a fake Visa card for a shopping spree at the Apple store in Berkeley’s popular Fourth Street shopping district.
According to court papers, Mohannad Halaweh went into the Apple store, at 1823 Fourth St. in West Berkeley, earlier this month and tried to buy more than $10,000 worth of gear.
Police said Halaweh attempted to buy 14 iPhones and two MacBook Air laptop computers shortly before 4 p.m. March 8.
To make the purchases, authorities said Halaweh used a fake Bank of America Visa card.
In a document related to Halaweh’s arrest, Berkeley Police officer Brian Kishiyama said the teenager fought with him when Kishiyama tried to detain him.
According to police, the teen waived his Miranda right to remain silent, and “admitted to using a fake credit card with a fake New York driver’s license” to try to make the buys.
The Alameda County district attorney’s office has charged Halaweh with three felonies: forgery, possession of a forged driver’s license, and second-degree commercial burglary.
Halaweh is no longer in custody after posting an $85,000 bond, but is scheduled for an “attorney and plea” hearing March 25 at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in downtown Oakland.
Related:
Berkeleyside Police Blotter: Crime in Berkeley, March 6-12 (03.17.14)
Police arrest 2 after man brandishes gun in laundromat (03.16.14)
Robberies rise, but serious crime down overall in 2013 (03.14.14)
3 years after killing, Berkeley family still seeking justice (03.10.14)
Authorities link woman to $19,000 Berkeley make-up heist (12.11.13)
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