Credit Card Thieves Caught After Targeting Hikers in Marin County Park

It was a crisp morning on the Old Rail Trail when a handful of hikers stopped to stretch, only to discover that their cars—parked at Blackie’s Pasture—had become the latest victims of a sneaky credit‑card theft scheme.

According to the Tiburon Police Department, investigators received multiple reports of stolen cards after park‑goers returned from a walk and found their wallets missing. The suspects, identified as 64‑year‑old Jaime Garrido Guerrero and 55‑year‑old Hernan Reyes Correa, were quickly linked to the crimes.

Police say the duo operated like a well‑rehearsed team. They would circle the parking lot, eyeing cars, testing door handles, and waiting for the perfect moment—usually when owners left the vehicle unattended for a short walk. In one instance, a surveillance camera captured the pair checking a Ford Explorer, the very vehicle later tied to the thefts.

After the cards were taken, the thieves didn’t sit on their loot. They popped into shops in San Francisco and Corte Madera, swiping the stolen credit and debit cards as if nothing were amiss. Those transactions left a digital trail that led investigators straight back to the suspects.

When officers finally cornered Guerrero and Reyes, they were booked on a slew of charges: fraud, forgery, theft, criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property, and possession of burglary tools. The arrest serves as a reminder that even a leisurely hike can turn into a risk if you leave valuables in a car.

Police urge anyone who parks in the area to lock doors, keep wallets out of sight, and report any suspicious activity right away. A simple habit—like tucking a wallet under a seat instead of the glove compartment—could make all the difference.

While the two men now face the justice system, the community is left with a heightened sense of vigilance. After all, a beautiful trail is only as safe as the precautions its visitors take.