Miami men charged in connection to debit card thefts totaling close to $8,000

SARASOTA -- Two Miami men were charged in connection with a series of debit card thefts and withdrawals totaling close to $8,000, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

Michael Boothe, 32, and James Augustin, 35, were arrested Monday afternoon. According to a release, detectives began their investigation when Bank of America contacted them regarding suspicious activity. Detectives learned Boothe and Augustin were requesting new debit cards and pin numbers for existing customers. The sheriff's office said the suspects would then intercept the new card in the mail and immediately visit the ATM to withdraw cash.

According to the release, the bank provided detectives with surveillance photos of both suspects from transactions on April 4 and 5 in Sarasota.

At around 2:30 p.m. Monday, while conducting surveillance at a home where a new debit card was scheduled to be delivered, detectives spotted Boothe and Augustin. Deputies said both men matched the description provided by the bank.

When detectives tried stopping the vehicle for a traffic violation, the sheriff's office said Augustin fled at speeds more than 90 mph. According to the release, deputies immediately cancelled the pursuit and requested assistance from the Aviation Unit, which followed Augustin's vehicle into Desoto County where both men were later taken into custody by the Desoto County Sheriff's Office.

Boothe and Augustin were both charged with three counts of criminal use of personal identification, the sheriff's office said. Augustin was also charged with fleeing to elude. Both men are currently being held at the Desoto County Jail, according to the release.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Miami men charged in connection to debit card thefts totaling close to $8,000 ."