Number of reported ID thefts continues to grow

Mountain Brook police reported four instances of identity theft in this week’s community update, bringing the number of reports for 2016 up to 27.

One victim reported on March 30 he had two unauthorized transactions on his credit card.

Two victims reported federal income taxes were filed using their identities. One reported the crime occurred between March 21 and March 25, and the other reported it occurred between March 1 and March 24.

The fourth victim reported someone obtained a credit card using their identity. The incident reportedly occurred between March 20 and April 4.

Police also reported two arrests in connection to trafficking in stolen identities. On March 31, two individuals from the Atlanta area were arrested in connection to a ring that is manufacturing fake credit cards, according to police. The manufactured credit cards are typically used to buy gift cards throughout the southeast.

Through a follow-up investigation, police report one of the defendants in the case of trafficking in stolen identities purchased two $400 gift cards using counterfeit credit cards. The purchase occurred in the 3100 block of Cahaba Village Plaza, and police categorized it as fraud.

There were also many drug-related charges in the community update. On April 3, an individual was arrested in the 2700 block of Cherokee Road. They were arrested for providing a fake name to an officer, and they were found in possession of narcotics and stolen jewelry, according to the update.

Another narcotics-related arrest occurred on April 5. An individual was pulled over for a traffic stop at U.S. 280 and Rocky Ridge Road and found in possession of cocaine and pills, according to police.

The third narcotics arrest occurred on April 7 around 1:29 a.m. An officer was checking a suspicious vehicle in the 3800 block of Cromwell Drive, according to the report, and the occupants were found in possession of cocaine, pills and marijuana.

On April 4, a traffic stop near Country Club Road and Carlisle Road led to an arrest for marijuana possession. During another traffic stop on April 5, on Pumphouse Road at U.S. 280, police found a passenger was in possession of marijuana, according to the report.

Other crimes reported include the theft of a gun and diamond earrings from a residence in the 3300 block of Faring Road, the theft of silver flatware from a residence in the 4900 block of Cold Harbor Drive and the theft of a hover board from the 3500 block of Westbury Road.

Police reported two burglaries. One occurred in the 4000 block of Forest Glen Drive, and a kitchen knife was reported taken. The other occurred in the 2700 block of Cherokee Road, and jewelry and a credit card were reported stolen. The items were reportedly taken by an acquaintance.

Police also reported between March 26 and April 4, an unlocked car in the 2600 block of Beverly Drive was entered and a gun was stolen.

On March 31, a victim reported a known subject called and threatened him.