Associated Press - June 20, 2009 4:14 AM ET
PHOENIX (AP) - A multi-agency task force says it has broken up an identity-theft ring that stole mail to pass fraudulent checks and withdraw money from victims' bank accounts in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Police in Phoenix, Chandler, Glendale and Tempe along with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office served search warrants Thursday on five locations in south Phoenix and one in Mesa and arrested 17 people in the case.
An indictment handed up 42 felony counts against those suspected of being ring members. Charges include identity theft, conspiracy, money laundering, forgery, fraud, misconduct involving weapons and trafficking in the identity of another.
Authorities say at least 3 of those arrested placed money in the prison accounts of members of the Mexican Mafia, a notorious prison gang.
Police say there were 150 to 200 victims, who lost an estimated $20,000 to $100,000.
Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
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