A Westport police dispatcher is out of a job after he was charged with using his best friend’s account to buy over $2,000 worth of New England Patriots tickets.
John W. Andrade III, 38, of 107 Princeton St., New Bedford, was arrested on Monday, Dec. 23, at 8:56 a.m. at the Westport police station on numerous charges. A police dispatcher for around two years, he resigned that same day, according to Westport detective Tony Cestodio.
The arrest followed an extensive investigation that involved eight search warrants, Det. Cestodio said. The probe began when Mr. Andrade’s friend reported that Mr. Andrade had gained access to his Patriots’ account and then used his credit card to buy 16 tickets. Police later determined that he sold — or attempted to sell —those tickets via Craigslist and other sites.
Police said the friend had previously entrusted Mr. Andrade with his account password.
Charges against Mr. Andrade included identity fraud, telecommunication services fraud, falsely obtaining commercial computer service, improperly receiving over $250 with a credit card, larceny over $250, and false use of a credit card.