Tulsa Police arrested an alleged serial fraud suspect who has been accused of stealing identities and opening loans and cell phone plans in other people's names.
"They found stacks of stolen checks, stacks of copies of checks, stacks of people's personal identification, drivers licenses, passports, marriage licenses, titles to vehicles," said TPD Detective Amyy Stark.
According to police, they found those items along with stolen mail in Roger Pineda's car during a traffic stop on Feb. 13.
"He was arrested for these warrants and in the process of that arrest, officers discovered a lot more evidence of identity theft."
Stark said at the time of Pineda's arrest, he had sticky traps—often used as a fishing tool to steal mail—blank check stock, and materials to wash checks and rewrite them.
According to Stark, Pineda used stolen identities to open loans, make fake IDs and buy cell phones online.
FOX23 looked into Pineda's criminal past and found he served time for false personation in 2015 and has various other felony convictions dating back to 2013.
In this case, police said they were able to identify seven additional victims of identity theft based on what they found in Pineda's car.
TPD's Financial Crimes Unit emphasized the importance of checking your mailbox daily, never leaving your mail unaccounted for and taking any documents inside the post office.
Stark advised strongly against dropping mail into the USPS blue boxes.
"We realize that is inconvenient, but it is the best way to protect your identity and make sure you have your identity locked down on the three major credit bureaus."
Stark said if you suspect your identity has been stolen, it's important to file a police report.
"If you reach out to make a police report and we pull over someone like Roger Pineda and find your personal identification in his or her possession, then we are able to solve your case because we know who stole your identity."
Police said the postal inspector was able to recover all the unopened mail in Pineda's possession and they're in the process of returning it to victims.
The Financial Crimes Lieutenant said the U.S. Postal Service helped with the investigation and said Pineda could face federal mail theft charges.
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"They found stacks of stolen checks, stacks of copies of checks, stacks of people's personal identification, drivers licenses, passports, marriage licenses, titles to vehicles," said TPD Detective Amyy Stark.
According to police, they found those items along with stolen mail in Roger Pineda's car during a traffic stop on Feb. 13.
"He was arrested for these warrants and in the process of that arrest, officers discovered a lot more evidence of identity theft."
Stark said at the time of Pineda's arrest, he had sticky traps—often used as a fishing tool to steal mail—blank check stock, and materials to wash checks and rewrite them.
According to Stark, Pineda used stolen identities to open loans, make fake IDs and buy cell phones online.
FOX23 looked into Pineda's criminal past and found he served time for false personation in 2015 and has various other felony convictions dating back to 2013.
In this case, police said they were able to identify seven additional victims of identity theft based on what they found in Pineda's car.
TPD's Financial Crimes Unit emphasized the importance of checking your mailbox daily, never leaving your mail unaccounted for and taking any documents inside the post office.
Stark advised strongly against dropping mail into the USPS blue boxes.
"We realize that is inconvenient, but it is the best way to protect your identity and make sure you have your identity locked down on the three major credit bureaus."
Stark said if you suspect your identity has been stolen, it's important to file a police report.
"If you reach out to make a police report and we pull over someone like Roger Pineda and find your personal identification in his or her possession, then we are able to solve your case because we know who stole your identity."
Police said the postal inspector was able to recover all the unopened mail in Pineda's possession and they're in the process of returning it to victims.
The Financial Crimes Lieutenant said the U.S. Postal Service helped with the investigation and said Pineda could face federal mail theft charges.
Alleged serial fraud suspect arrested by Tulsa Police
Tulsa Police arrested an alleged serial fraud suspect who has been accused of stealing identities and opening loans and cell phone plans in other people's names.
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