Stillwater, OK: The Stillwater Police Department has disclosed body camera footage and details of a significant operation conducted by investigators on January 31, 2024.
Authorities apprehended five individuals connected to an advanced identity theft scheme. Police found the group at the Home 2 Suites off East Hall of Fame after receiving a report that they were refusing to leave and possessed illegal drugs.
Officers discovered three men and two women next to a vehicle in the parking lot. Investigators discovered fentanyl after conducting a search. Lt. TJ Low, spokesperson for the Stillwater Police Department, stated that the visible drug paraphernalia justified a more thorough investigation into potential illegal narcotics.
Investigators discovered backpacks and notebooks containing fake IDs, blank checks, and personal data belonging to numerous individuals from Oklahoma.
Low stated that there were both local Stillwater people and individuals from the state of Oklahoma there. There were several.
Police discovered evidence indicating that the group attempted to register bank accounts, ask for loans, and make purchases using the stolen information.
Jason Beeman, Lauren Hayes, Stephen Kiker, Trishann Schmitt, and Matthew Wilson were apprehended by investigators. All five individuals were from the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
Investigators will now focus on locating every victim associated with the significant operation.
“We want to emphasize that the case is still in progress.” “If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local police departments to file a report,” Low said.