Leader Of New York Credit Card Theft Ring Pleads Guilty

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The leader of a New York crime ring that stole credit cards from cars at gyms and restaurants and used them to buy gift cards has pleaded guilty.

The Erie County District Attorney's office says 45-year-old Christopher McCullen of Buffalo ran an operation that involved nine other people, all of whom have been convicted.

Investigators say that over several months in 2014, McCullen and others broke into cars parked at venues in Buffalo and several suburbs. Other defendants used them to buy gift cards, which were then sold at a discount.

McCullen faces up to six years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to scheming to defraud and seven counts of grand larceny.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]