REDMOND, Wash. – A Redmond police investigation into an alleged credit card scam at a strip mall smoke shop is growing.

Police arrested the 35-year-old owner of  Smoker's Choice on NE 24th St. Tuesday and accused him of a complicated scam. They believe at least 50 people were victimized by the owner, who cops say was cloning customer debit card accounts and cleaning them out.

"We're thinking there's possibly some sort of skimmer involved and that their cards were cloned, so once they used that there would be charges in California and Las Vegas," said Officer Stacey Holland, Redmond Police Dept.

The owner will make his first court a appearance later Wednesday afternoon.

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Smoker's Choice is located in a strip maill in Redmond, Wash.

Thousands of dollars were withdrawn from ATM's in cities like Burbank, Northridge, Hollywood, Woodland Hills, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Westminster, Glendale, Inglewood and Las Vegas.

Police said it could all be connected to a series of similar crimes in California, and most likely other people are involved.

"It's going to be pretty long time by the time we're finished,” Holland said. “This is chapter one; we've got a lot of chapters to go before we complete this investigation.”

The smoke shop is closed for now but it is not some fly-by-night business. The owner is a well-respected merchant and the investigation revealed that dozens of victims happened to be some of the store's best customers.  

"I've been coming here for at least five or six years," said Jerry.

Jerry said he got a call from a detective last week saying one of his cards was cloned.

"Somebody had actually stolen the number and created their own card and was making purchases on it," he said.

The store's owner was described by customers and other merchants as a friendly family man.

"He's never been nothing but nice. Seemed to go out of his way for his customers. But I guess it goes to prove you never know," said Jerry.

Redmond police want to hear from anyone who's shopped at Smoker's Choice and had problems with their bank or credit accounts. They think it's likely there are many other victims.

They have set up a tip line for victims: (425) 556-2581. Callers may remain anonymous.