Six people have been arrested for allegedly using other people’s identities to open accounts and make purchases in their names.
Ananda Gabriel, Aameer Waight, Abilio Sanchez, Anthony Colon, Rashad Provost and Jonathan Lynce have been accused of grand larceny, identity theft, and other related charges, for their roles in an identity theft scheme at various Lowe’s stores throughout the state.
Between October 2023 and February 2024, the group allegedly opened Lowe’s credit card accounts online using the names and identities of multiple individuals who reside all over the United States, without their knowledge or consent.
The group then allegedly used those accounts to purchase more than $25,000 worth of gift cards from various Lowe’s store locations throughout New York. At least five Suffolk County Lowe’s store locations were targeted, including Commack, Bay Shore, Farmingdale, Medford and Stony Brook.
Additionally, in November 2023, Gabriel allegedly rented an apartment in Patchogue using the identity of another Suffolk County resident without their consent or awareness. To date, he has allegedly not paid any rent for that apartment.
On August 6, 2024, all six defendants were arrested by members of the Suffolk County Police Department.
Gabriel, 23, of Patchogue, was charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and five counts of first-degree identity theft, all Class D felonies; one count of second-degree identity theft, a Class E felony; two counts of third-degree identity theft, both Class A misdemeanors; and one count of attempted petit larceny, and one count of third-degree attempted identity theft, both Class B misdemeanors.
Waight, 22, of Central Islip, and Sanchez, 20, of Huntington Station, were both charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree identity theft, both Class D felonies.
Colon, 25, of Bay Shore, was charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree identity theft, both Class D felonies; one count of attempted petit larceny and one count of third-degree attempted identity theft, both Class B misdemeanors.
Provost, 23, of Mastic Beach, was charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree identity theft, both Class D felonies; one count of second-degree identity theft, a Class E felony; and one count of third-degree identity theft, a Class A misdemeanor.
Lynce, 22, of Central Islip, was charged with one count of third-degree grand larceny and two counts of first-degree identity theft, all Class D felonies.
All six were released from jail without bail because their charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail. Gabriel was placed on supervised release with GPS conditions. She is due back in court on August 9, 2024.
Sanchez is due back in court on August 14, 2024. Provost and Lynce are due back in court on August 19, 2024.
Colon was placed on supervised release during the pendency of the case and is due back in court on August 27, 2024. Waight is also due back in court on August 27, 2024.
“These arrests allege a pattern of identity theft that represents a significant breach of personal security for victims across the United States,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Charges of identity theft often intersect with retail theft, as stolen identities are often used to make fraudulent purchases, potentially leading to substantial losses for merchants as well as headaches for consumers.”
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