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ID theft is all too common, sheriff says
(Omaha World-Herald (NE) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 8--Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning chuckled this morning when asked how often identity theft occurs.
"We get reports -- and more than one -- every day," Dunning said.
The sheriff then checked his computer and reeled off a day's worth of crimes: eight reports of stolen purses, wallets and briefcases. All the thefts included lost credit cards, debit cards and personal identification.
On Wednesday, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office busted what Dunning said was a small identify theft ring while investigating the unauthorized use of a credit card at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel near 10th and Dodge Streets.
During the investigation, a suspect hit a deputy on the head with a vase and the deputy shot the man, wounding him.
Sheriff's deputies were called to the hotel after staff members became suspicious that 32-year-old Jason Galle of Omaha and a 23-year-old pregnant woman had checked in using a stolen credit card.
Deputies Mike Smith and Brenda Wheeler went to the hotel's fourth floor about 10 a.m. Wednesday and spotted Galle and the woman coming out of Room 416. Dunning said Galle tried to hurry past the deputies and into the elevator when Smith tried to stop him.
As Galle pushed the deputy back, Dunning said, a rolled-up pair of jeans fell from under Galle's arm and a .22-caliber pistol tumbled out.
Smith and Galle began to struggle while Wheeler took control of the woman. Dunning said Galle then hit Smith on the back of the head with a vase that was in a hallway. Smith then shot Galle in the chest, Dunning said.
Galle is under guard at Creighton University Medical Center. Smith was treated at Creighton for a 4-inch gash on his head.
After deputies secured Galle and the woman, other deputies tracked down two men, a 22-year-old and a 37-year-old, in an eighth-floor hotel room. They also found a copier machine, a laptop computer, laminating equipment and hair dye in that room.
The woman, 22-year-old man and 37-year-old man are being held at the Douglas County Jail.
A spokeswoman for the Douglas County Attorney's Office said charges are expected to be filed against Galle after his release from the hospital. The other three are expected to be charged Friday.
Dunning described the operation as "typical of a small identity theft ring." He said it appears that the four were intent on stealing credit cards and identities for "a fast turnaround" or payoff.
Such thieves "have to do what they are going to do as quickly as possible," he said. "They alter the identification to use their pictures and their signatures in case they are challenged."
Identity thieves try to get as much cash as they can from the bank and credit cards before moving on to the next victim, Dunning said.
"This wasn't a real sophisticated ring," Dunning said. "They want to get quick cash for their habits either by using the cards or selling them to someone else."
The 22-year-old man and the 37-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of felony illegal use of credit cards and felony possession of methamphetamine.
The older man has served jail time for receiving stolen property and methamphetamine possession. The younger man has served time for burglary.
The woman, who has served time for forgery, was arrested on suspicion of a parole violation in Iowa.
Galle also is wanted on a parole violation in Iowa.
Dunning said identity theft can be combated by "keeping your ID and bank cards as close to you as possible."
The credit card that was used at the hotel was stolen Sunday morning from a car parked at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, near 153rd and Pacific Streets. A woman had left her purse in the car while she attended Mass. The purse contained cash, her identification and credit cards.
Because the church is outside city limits, the Sheriff's Office, not the Omaha Police Department, handled the investigation.
The theft operation wouldn't have been disrupted if not for the alert clerks at the hotel, Dunning said.
Sharon Rodawold, sales manager at the Courtyard by Marriott, said, "We commend our staff for handling it appropriately and quickly."
World-Herald staff writers Chelsea Keeney and Nancy Gaarder contributed to this report.
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Copyright (c) 2008, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.
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