2 arrested in $2,700 benefit account fraud at Doral Sam’s Club

Two men were arrested in Doral, Florida, after allegedly using compromised benefit accounts to purchase more than $2,700 in merchandise at a Sam's Club location, according to arrest reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.

Authorities identified the individuals taken into custody as 32-year-old Romario Cornel Stewart and 33-year-old Myrthland Damien Ince. The arrests occurred following a joint surveillance operation conducted by local law enforcement officers and corporate security personnel at a warehouse store along Northwest 13th Terrace in Doral.

Incident Overview

According to arrest reports, law enforcement officers and retail security personnel conducted targeted surveillance at the Sam's Club facility situated on Northwest 13th Terrace in Doral. Investigators observed the suspects allegedly utilizing unauthorized Electronic Benefit Transfer and private health benefit card accounts to complete transactions exceeding $2,700 in merchandise.

The operation stemmed from a broader regional investigation into fraudulent purchases made across South Florida. Authorities noted that compromised accounts were being systematically exploited to acquire commercial goods from major retail store locations without authorization from account holders or card issuers.

Suspect Information

The two individuals arrested in connection with the investigation are identified in official reports as:

• Romario Cornel Stewart, age 32.
• Myrthland Damien Ince, age 33.

Both individuals face allegations related to the unauthorized access and fraudulent use of compromised benefit accounts. Specific details regarding their residence addresses or prior criminal histories were not immediately disclosed in the initial police release.

Police Response

Deputies assigned to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Organized Retail Crimes Squad executed the operation in coordination with corporate security personnel from Walmart Global Investigations. Officers maintained surveillance on the store premises to identify suspects actively attempting to process fraudulent payments using compromised credentials, leading to the apprehension of both men on Sunday.

Investigation

The investigation into benefit card fraud was spearheaded jointly by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Organized Retail Crimes Squad and Walmart Global Investigations. Investigators had previously identified multiple individuals suspected of targeting Sam's Club and Walmart locations throughout South Florida for large scale unauthorized purchases.

According to authorities, the scope of the probe encompasses the unauthorized compromise of Florida Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts as well as Nations Benefits accounts. Law enforcement agencies continue to examine transactional records and surveillance data to determine the full extent of the fraudulent network operating across the region.

Arrest Details

Deputies from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office arrested Romario Cornel Stewart and Myrthland Damien Ince on Sunday at the Sam's Club location on Northwest 13th Terrace in Doral. The arrests occurred immediately following surveillance activities by law enforcement and corporate investigators, who intervened during the alleged fraudulent transaction sequence.

Charges Filed

Both suspects were taken into custody on allegations involving benefit account fraud. Under Florida law, public assistance fraud and benefit account misuse involve complex statutory classifications depending on the specific value of property obtained and the nature of the compromised financial access credentials:

• Benefit Account Fraud: Under Florida law, fraudulent use of social services or benefit cards involves knowingly obtaining, attempting to obtain, or aiding another in obtaining public assistance funds, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits, or private supplemental health benefits through misrepresentation or unauthorized credential use. When the value of the fraudulently obtained goods or services exceeds statutory thresholds, the charge may be prosecuted as a felony offense. Penalties upon conviction can include statutory prison sentences, probation, court fines, mandatory restitution to affected benefit programs or victim financial institutions, and the forfeiture of illicitly acquired merchandise.

Court Information

Official court case numbers, formal docket assignments, and specific initial hearing schedules for Stewart and Ince were not released immediately following the arrest. Formal charges are presented by state prosecutors in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which serves Miami-Dade County.

Following an arrest in Miami-Dade County, defendants are typically processed at a local correctional center where booking procedures, including fingerprinting and criminal history checks, are completed before an initial judicial appearance before a circuit magistrate.

Statements from Authorities

Statements directly quoting individual investigators were not included in the initial release. However, according to formal arrest reports provided by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, investigators established that several individuals have been engaged in targeting South Florida retail chains using compromised Florida EBT and Nations Benefits accounts to conduct high value transactions.

Public Safety Information

Public safety officials advise consumers and benefit recipients to monitor their account balances routinely to detect unauthorized transactions early. EBT cardholders and health benefit recipients who suspect their account information has been compromised should immediately contact their benefit administration agency or call local law enforcement. Suspected identity theft or benefit card fraud can also be reported to national consumer protection resources, including the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338) or emergency services by dialing 911.

What Happens Next

Following their arrest, defendants held on felony allegations undergo an initial appearance before a judge, typically within 24 hours of booking. During this initial court hearing, the judge reviews the arrest affidavit to establish probable cause, determines conditions of release or bond amounts, and verifies legal representation.

The State Attorney's Office for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida will review the evidence gathered by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Organized Retail Crimes Squad to file a formal charging document, known as an information or indictment. If formal charges proceed, the cases will move forward to arraignment, where defendants enter formal pleas, followed by pretrial discovery, motion hearings, and potential trial dates unless resolved through plea negotiations or case dismissals.