Portsmouth New Hampshire's Bella Sol owner, Brian Pearson, 28, was picked up by authorities earlier this October due to his fraudulent activities involving credit card fraud. The 28-year old restaurant owner defrauded all of his customers by placing unauthorized charges on their credit cards.

Authorities say that the fraudulent charges were committed from August of last year to May of 2011, months after the restaurant had already closed. Reports say that many of the charges were small but the whole activity made Brian Pearson richer by nearly $2500.

Bella Sol Closed in 2010

The police told the media that many of these charges were done when Bella Sol closed in 2010. The restaurant opened in February of the same year then closed a few months later. No details have been released as to why the downtown restaurant closed.

For many of those who always went to Bella Sol, it was sad that the restaurant closed. According to some of the patrons of the place, Bella Sol closing down was a waste because the food was wonderful.

A Portsmouth, NH resident said in an interview that after a few months of operation, the restaurant staff suddenly became disinterested in providing good service to their customers. Many speculate that this must be the reason why the restaurant had to close because customers were not dining in the restaurant anymore due to bad service.

The casual dining place was located in downtown Portsmouth where Bella Luna used to be. Bella Luna was basically the same restaurant, though just repackaged as Bella Sol by Pearson in the early part of 2010 because he felt that there was a great change in the restaurant’s business – it was experiencing a new day, as stated in the restaurant’s website.

Brian Pearson's Credit Card Fraud

Good food or not, Bella Sol, will probably not be remembered because of its culinary delights or its cozy ambiance as described in the restaurant’s website but of the fraudulent credit card usage done by owner Brian Pearson.

Over 30 people reported to the police regarding the unauthorized charges done by Bella Sol to their credit cards which later on led to an investigation.

A policeman stated that these types of cases are nothing out of the ordinary these days regardingcredit card fraud." Portsmouth Police detectives arrested Brian Pearson on October 3. The former restaurant owner was charged with a felony due to the fraudulent usage of a credit card.

Reports say that Pearson was released through a personal recognizance bail amounting to $5,000 and is scheduled for arraignment next month.

Detective Rochelle Jones gave out her office number to the media in case someone has more information about Pearson’s activities. Those who may have more details or have found fraudulent activity on their card related to Bella Sol can call the Portsmouth Police Department or access the Seacoast Crime Stoppers website.