Blaine Bank Teller Helps Uncover Multi-State Theft Ring
BLAINE, Minn. (WCCO) -- An alert bank teller in Blaine is getting credit for tipping police to a suspected identity theft ring.
The Bank of the West teller grew suspicious on Monday when two women tried cashing a large out-of-state check.
It turns out the identification used in the transaction was stolen, prompting the bank employee to contact police.
"I think our officers were on site within three to four minutes," said Blaine police chief Chris Olson.
Turns out the $1,836.41 check they were trying to cash had been forged.
Beth Porter and Kortney Suber were driving a rented van with Florida license plates. The identification that was given to the teller was later traced to a woman who reported it stolen in Nebraska.
"We were able to get the car stopped, and that led to other people," Olson said. "Evidence at that scene led to more information and interviews at a location in Bloomington."
Porter and Suber told police they had checked into a Bloomington hotel. Police there were able to execute a search warrant on two hotel rooms and later arrested Masud Headen, Ashley Wimberly and Willie Morris.
The five had driven up from Florida, departing there on March 27. Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo has charged all five with identity theft of more than eight victims.
"We don't see it happen with this many people very often," Palumbo said, "but we do see rings of people involved in thefts, identity theft and shoplifting."
Porter admitted to investigators the group broke into at least three cars to steal wallets and purses.
So far, known victims have been traced to Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Dakota.
But when police searched the Bloomington hotel room where the group was staying they found at least seven more stolen IDs, debit and credit cards, and checkbooks.
Palumbo has advice to victims of identity theft.
"Notify banks and credit card companies immediately," he said. "That helps us once it's in the system to help stop things like this from occurring."
While one defendant admitted to breaking into three cars, investigators think there could be many more victims.
Police are working with investigators in other states, from Minnesota to Florida, to see if the ring is part of a wider crime spree.