Deputy poses as pizza delivery guy to catch alleged ID thief

Deputy Brad Mazur apparently makes for a convincing pizza delivery driver.

On Nov. 15, Mazur showed up at the home of a Byron woman with a fresh pizza from Fullerino's Pizza and asked her to sign the credit card slip.  The woman signed, just as she reportedly has before for orders from Fullerino's.

Mazur's ruse worked.

The credit card number used by the woman was allegedly stolen.

After Mazur identified himself he asked the lady a few questions. The interview led to the discovery of several such allegedly fraudulent transactions that began with the woman reportedly stealing credit card numbers while employed at Batavia Citgo.

Mazur delivered his pizza to Alisha A. Ballard, 21, of 7174 Byron Road.

Ballard faces several charges, including petit larceny, forgery 2nd, unlawful possession of a  personal ID, identify theft 2nd and falsifying business records 1st.

After being arraigned in Batavia City Court, Ballard was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

The investigation began Oct. 30 after a local resident complained that his credit card number had been used without his authorization to order food from Fullerino's. Mazur and Deputy John Duyssen conducted the investigation.

The alleged credit card thefts date back to Aug. 18.