Friday, May 6, 2011

Philadelphia police searching for man who stole $44,000 from disabled vet through identity theft

From The Associated Press:

Philadelphia police are searching for a man they say assumed the identity of a 27-year-old military veteran in order to steal thousands of dollars in disability money.

Police say the Marine Corps veteran never received an expected disability check in December for more than $44,000.

When the veteran notified the Treasury Department, the agency told him the check had been deposited at a bank in suburban Bensalem, Pa.

Authorities now say a man used a counterfeit driver's license to open a bank account in the victim's name on Dec. 15. After depositing the check, police say the suspect withdrew more than $22,000 over the next six days.

Police said Thursday that they hope bank surveillance photos will help identify the suspect.