Man Accused Of 22 Identity Thefts Around Metro Area, Washington Co.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing the identities of 22 people in Minnesota, according to the Washington County Attorney's Office.

County Attorney Pete Orput says Damie Alexander McVay, who has no permanent address, stole the identities for the purpose of committing financial transaction card fraud. The alleged crimes occurred from Feb. 10 through June 9, 2016 throughout the metro area, including Washington County..

According to the criminal complaint, McVay and others targeted vehicles in country club or fitness center parking lots, which are places people are more likely to leave purses and wallets. They would then use a "window punch" tool to quickly break into the cars, grab purses and wallets, and then immediately use credit cards from them. They did this on 22 occasions, Orput said.

"This is the type of organized criminal activity that too often misses the attention of the public," Orput said. "Identity theft, however, is pernicious and time consuming crime for the victim, as well as society as a whole. This office is committed to taking a hard line on cases such as this in hopes that this type of crime is deterred."

McVay faces one felony charge of aiding and abetting identity theft (with eight or more direct victims/combined loss greater than $35,000). If convicted, he could face up to 20 years and $100,000 fine.