GAINESVILLE — Alex Alfonso Mercado, 40, was arrested Sunday after allegedly breaking into a vehicle and stealing financial transaction cards, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers received a report on September 18 via the department’s online system regarding a theft that occurred on the night of September 6. The victim’s vehicle was parked at a residence on Saddle Creek Drive in the Gillsville area when the crime took place.
Following an investigation, HCSO identified Mercado as a suspect. He is accused of unlawfully entering the vehicle and stealing a wallet containing two bank cards, along with a book bag, headphones, and clothing items.
Mercado allegedly used the stolen bank cards to make unauthorized purchases at six different locations that same night, spending a total of $193.70. Surveillance footage from one of the stores helped investigators confirm Mercado’s identity.
Mercado was taken into custody at his home on September 22, 2025. Some of the stolen items were recovered during the arrest.
He is currently held on a $39,900 bond and faces charges including entering an auto to commit theft and six counts of financial card transaction fraud.
