TRAVERSE CITY (WWJ) -- A Traverse City man is facing criminal charges after it's alleged he used a Missouri woman's credit card to book himself and some friends a hotel room.
Guadalupe David Santiago, 44, was arraigned in the 86th District Court in Grand Traverse County on one count of Using a Financial Transaction Device Without Consent, and one count of Lying to Police Officer.
According to the Michigan State Police, the investigation began over the summer when troopers were called to a hotel in East Bay Township, a popular tourist area adjacent to Traverse City.
The front desk clerk told troopers that the hotel's corporate office was notified by a credit card company about a fraudulent transaction.
A woman in Missouri said she got an email confirming a booking at the hotel — but she hadn't booked any rooms in Michigan.
The victim, police said, believed the perpetrator had somehow hacked or gained access to her hotel rewards account, which had her credit card linked to it. and she wanted to press charges.
Troopers went to the hotel room. and that's where they found Santiago, along with two other men.
Police said Santiago first insisted he'd used cash to book the room, but when confronted about the credit card he said it must have been booked by his employer. In any case, Santiago denied wrongdoing.
A 21-year-old Suttons Bay man in the room had a warrant for his arrest, police said, and was taken into custody.
Santiago and the third man, however, were allowed to leave.
A report was later submitted to the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor's Office and an arrest warrant was issued for Santiago on August 11.
On Nov. 21, Santiago was tracked down and arrested by the MSP 7th District Fugitive Team on Washington Street in Traverse City.
Following his arraignment, Santiago was given a $25,000 personal bond. His next court appearance was scheduled for Dec. 6.
