Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Juror in Credit Card Theft Case Allegedly Stole Credit Card in Courtroom
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 17, 2010
Modified Mar 17, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 17, 2010
Modified Mar 17, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A juror passing judgment on a credit card thief allegedly swiped plastic from the man sitting near her—who was also a juror in the case! The News reports that 20-year-old Jennifer Mercado returned from lunch carrying several shopping bags full of new shoes. She now claims that John Postrk gave her permission to use his American Express card because "He came on to me... It's a he-said, she-said situation. In court, they will find out he's lying." Postrk's lawyers say the credit cards, along with his metrocard, disappeared from his coat pocket on March 8, the first day of the trial. "You've got to be really stupid to do that in front of a judge, court officers, law enforcement and all the cameras in this building," said one courthouse employee, who'd heard about the case.
Mercado and Postrk were both jurors in the trial of Warren Stewart, accused of larceny and possession of a stolen credit card. After three days Postrk reported the theft of his valuables, telling the judge the thief was "the person that came back with the baggage." During a recess an assistant DA investigated the claim, speaking with some of the merchants who'd supposedly sold to Mercado. "She was talking nice to me, asking for a discount," confirmed Jeans Plus manager Jason Ayoub.
Two days later Mercado was arrested and charged with grand larceny, stolen property, identity theft and unlawful use of a credit card. Her alleged illegal actions got her removed from Stewart's case, and could put her in jail for as long as four years.
Tagged
credit card theft
jennifer mercado
john postrk
juror
jury
larceny
Shopping
stolen identity
trial
warren stewart
Sabrina Jaszi
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 12:43 p.m. ET
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
A 26-year-old died after being shot on the platform at the Midtown station. Commuters are rattled.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
A 26-year-old died after being shot on the platform at the Midtown station. Commuters are rattled.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
By
Karen Yi
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
By
James Ramsay
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .