APD Arrests Suspects Tied to Cross-Country Identity Theft Scheme

Alameda Police Department (APD) detectives have uncovered an identity theft scheme that involves victims from across the country.

It started on April 22, when an APD patrol officer noted a trend of stolen vehicles being recovered near Monterey Circle and Mosley Avenue. The officer advised APD detectives, who began to investigate possible connections, according to an APD report posted May 21 on Facebook.

Later that week, another officer responded to a residence in the 2000 block of Monterey Circle for an unrelated call. After this interaction, the officer discovered that an individual had provided false identification. That person was initially linked to one of the stolen vehicles spotted in the area.

On April 24, APD officers returned to the residence to serve a search and arrest warrant. During the search, officers found numerous fraudulent identification cards, credit cards, checks, and narcotics. Tools used to create counterfeit documents were also recovered. K9 Primo assisted in the search and alerted officers to a stolen firearm in the residence.

As a result of the investigation, APD detectives uncovered a complex identity theft scheme involving victims from across the country. Some victims had homes and vehicles leased in their names without their knowledge. One victim told APD detectives they had been “terrorized with fraud for the last several months.”

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Two individuals were arrested for multiple offenses. APD is currently working with leasing offices and car dealerships to help restore the identities of those affected.

If you believe you may be a victim of identity theft, APD suggests you contact them and IdentityTheft.gov to file a report.

It is also important to place a fraud alert or credit freeze through one of the three major credit bureaus:

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, www.equifax.com.
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742, https://www.experian.com.
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289, https://www.transunion.com/.

“Early action can help limit the damage and protect your financial future,” the APD report stressed. “APD remains committed to investigating financial crimes and supporting those impacted by fraud.”