St. Charles businessman arrested on charges of credit card fraud

A St. Charles businessman has been arrested on charges of illegally using the credit card information of his customers to make unauthorized transactions, according to police.

St. Charles Police arrested Michael Galan, 43, of the 400 block of Conley Drive in Elburn this week after several of his customers noticed the transactions on their credit card statements. Galan is the owner of West Gate Wine & Liquor on the 3300 block of West Main Street in St. Charles.

Police executed search warrants at Galan's home and business, concluding a seven-week investigation that uncovered eight different victims had unauthorized transactions on their credit cards. The one common link among all the victims were purchases at Galan's liquor store between Oct. 30 and Nov. 19.

Police believe Galan used the credit card information of the eight customers for purchases involving "Malave Limo Service" and the "Gerardo Laguna Limo Service." Neither business actually exists. The charges ranged from $150 to $290.

Galan was charged with unlawful use of a credit card, a felony. Police believe more charges are likely as they expand their investigation.

Any citizens who notice credit card transactions on the accounts to either of the bogus limo services should contact St. Charles Detective Drew Lamela at (630) 443-3742.

Galan is the second St. Charles business owner in recent months to be accused of stealing from customers via their credit card information. Paul D. Gale, 44, of the 1300 block of Brook Street in St. Charles has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges stemming from use of information taken from customers of his Bar-B-Que Shack restaurant.