Couple used veteran’s credit card, police say
Missing man’s car was found torched a couple of weeks ago
A Los Lunas couple have been charged with fraudulently using the credit card of a Marine Corps veteran who has been missing since his car was found torched a couple of weeks ago.
Jeannine Willard, 44, and Francisco Gomez, 37, were arrested Saturday, and face charges of fraudulent transfer or receipt of a credit card and fraudulent use of a credit card. Gomez is also charged with tampering with evidence after police say he threw the credit card away.
Belen police say the pair used Matthew Gurule’s credit card at restaurants and stores in the days following the 32-yearold man’s disappearance.
Belen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said the charges are unrelated to Gurule’s
Tips:
Anyone with information on Gurule’s whereabouts is asked to call the Belen Police Department at 505-966-2680 and ask to speak with Detective Keck.
missing person case.
“At this point, they are persons of interest,” he said.
Gurule, of Belen, was last seen leaving Isleta Resort and Casino in the early hours of July 27. His car was found burned in Valencia County later that day.
Willard and Gomez are being held at the Valencia County Detention Center. During booking, Willard was found with more than 11 grams of methamphetamine, and is also charged with possession of a controlled substance and bringing contraband into jail.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Magistrate Court, Gomez and Willard found Gurule’s credit card along the Manzano Expressway in Los Lunas.
Police say the couple spent between $250 and $500 at McDonald’s, Little Caesars, Dollar General and Trend One, a woman’s clothing store, around Belen.
According to the complaint, Gomez and Willard were caught on security cameras taking turns using the card to purchase items.
Meanwhile, police are still looking for Gurule. He is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with black hair and dark brown eyes, according to a missing persons flier.
“Matthew is a combat Marine veteran that may need medical attention,” the flier states.
Gurule has distinguishing tattoos, including a black swan and lettering on his left forearm, a badger holding a gun on his right upper arm and a soldier stabbing another person on his inner left arm.