Toure

HUDSON – A New York City man is in the Columbia County Jail after his arrest in Middletown on Friday on an identity theft charge.  Secou Toure, 27, was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond.

The case involved the theft of debit card numbers and funds from several bank accounts at local banks in August and September.

Sheriff's investigators worked on over 200 cases along with other law enforcement agencies including Greenport Police, State Police, Hudson Police and the Secret Service. Police suggested there may have been other people involved in the case.

Investigators determined that the debit card numbers were stolen after a computer system was compromised at the Cigarette Superstore, a chain store also known as Smoker's Choice, on Route 9 in Greenport.

Police believe all of the victims have been identified and have been notified by their bank or the police. IT specialist from Smoker's Choice have cooperated in the investigation and have taken steps to insure that no further thefts of debit or credit card information will occur, police said.

Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. said the case is far from over and has expanded to other states where some of the stolen card numbers have been used.