By Allison Peck
A North Platte man has been arrested following an investigation into multiple fraudulent credit card purchases at local businesses.
According to the North Platte Police Department, officers responded to several reported thefts involving fraudulent credit card transactions used to purchase tires between November 2025 and January 2026.
On Dec. 3, 2025, an officer responded to a business in the 3300 block of South Jeffers Street after a theft was reported. The investigation found that a suspect used a fraudulent credit card to purchase tires on two occasions, Nov. 11 and Nov. 13, totaling approximately $3,000.
A second incident was reported on Dec. 29, 2025, at a business in the 1000 block of Prospect Drive. Police determined a suspect made three fraudulent credit card purchases of tires over a three-week period, resulting in a loss of about $6,500 for the business.
On Jan. 27, 2026, officers responded to another reported theft at a business in the 3800 block of South Jeffers Street. The investigation showed a suspect fraudulently used a credit card to make three tire purchases totaling approximately $13,000.
Police identified the suspect in the thefts as Guillermo Goytia-Avitia, 57, of North Platte.
On Jan. 28, investigators observed a pickup leaving Goytia-Avitia’s residence with numerous tires in the truck bed. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop and detained Goytia-Avitia and an adult female. Several of the tires were confirmed to match those reported stolen.
Goytia-Avitia was arrested on suspicion of theft by deception involving $5,000 or more, a Class IIA felony, and was booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center.
Later that day, at approximately 4 p.m., officers served a search warrant at Goytia-Avitia’s residence in the 400 block of West 8th Street. Additional stolen tires and records were recovered during the search.
The investigation remains ongoing.