3 convicted in ID theft ring targeting Taco Bell, gym patrons

Three people from Colorado Springs have been convicted in a string of 49 financial crimes along the Front Range.

In a credit card and identity theft scam going back several months, the group used an electronic device known as a credit card skimmer to steal credit card numbers from patrons of a local Taco Bell and members of gyms in Woodland Park, Broomfield, Lakewood, Canon City and Pueblo.

Mark Nielson, 32, was convicted of racketeering and identity theft and sentenced to 10 years in prison, police said today. Corey Skinner, 24, was convicted of identity theft and also received a 10-year sentence, police said.

Amanda Stillwell, 23, was convicted of racketeering and is awaiting a sentencing hearing at the end of the month, according to court documents.

In Stillwell’s arrest affidavit, police said Nielson and Stillwell used a computer in Stillwell’s apartment to load credit card numbers stolen from Taco Bell patrons and gym members onto old credit cards, which were then used at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Toys-R-Us and other retailers.

Police said all three “skimmed” credit card numbers from cards stolen out of locked and unlocked gym lockers.