Orem police find more than 60 stolen IDs, cards in hotel room
Mar 12, 2018, 9:26 PM | Updated: Mar 13, 2018, 12:17 am
OREM – Orem police are trying to reunite people with stolen ID, credit, debit, and gift cards after discovering more than 60 of them in a hotel room.
According to a probable cause statement, police went to the Marriott Towneplace Suites Thursday after an employee noticed paraphernalia in a guest room. Orem Police Lt. Craig Martinez said officers got a search warrant and went inside.
“Went into the room and that’s where they found the makings of a nice little criminal enterprise,” Martinez said.
Police said they found methamphetamine, a scale, unused baggies, multiple syringes, a glass pipe with white residue, and a piece of tin foil with burn marks on the side. Police said two of the people inside, Bria Miller and Robert Richardson, admitted to using methamphetamine that day. Police said they also found an embosser and more than 60 credit, debit, gift, and ID cards belonging to other people. They said there were also credit card readers and multiple laptops.
According to the probable cause statement, police said another man, Michael Odom, came to the room while they were searching. Police said he told them he had come to the room to purchase methamphetamine from Miller and Richardson. Police said he also told them he had taken a laptop and card reader/writer from their room. When police went to his room, they said they found the device connected to his laptop and an ID card belonging to someone else. In his vehicle, police said they found a substance they identified as methamphetamine.
Police arrested Odom for investigation of charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, possession of forgery device, and possession of another’s identification. Police arrested Richardson and Miller for investigation of charges including possession of methamphetamine with intent, possession of heroin, possession of paraphernalia, possession of forgery device, possession of financial transaction card, possession of DAB, and possession of another’s identification.
Now, police are trying to find the rightful owners of the ID and other cards found in the room.
“A lot of people to contact. I mean, 30-plus IDs, that’s 30 victims. 30-plus debit or credit cards, if they’re different than the IDs, then there’s another 30 victims we’ve got to contact,” Martinez said.
If the people’s information has already been compromised, Martinez said it could be a headache for years to come.
“What’s unfortunate about identity theft is once it happens, chances are it’s going to happen again. Your information will pop up years later and you’ve got to mop it back up. You’ve just got to be really vigilant on keeping an eye on your credit,” Martinez said.
