EVERETT — Police have nabbed an Everett couple accused of masterminding a prolific identity-theft ring.
The man, 37, and woman, 40, were booked Friday into the Snohomish County Jail on a host of allegations involving forgery, financial fraud, identity theft, theft, possessing stolen property and possessing illegal drugs.
“It’s the whole gamut of financial crimes,” Everett police spokesman Aaron Snell said Monday.
Everett police have identified at least 26 other people believed to be involved in the crime ring, Snell said. Officers also have served a number of search warrants in the case, at times working with federal agents who specialize in counterfeit-money investigations.
“We have been working on this since June,” Snell said. “This is like a spiderweb.”
Police believe hundreds of people could have been victimized by the crime ring. The amount stolen from victims has exceeded $200,000 and is expected to keep rising, Snell said.
The crime ring is believed to be responsible for home and business burglaries, car prowls and mailbox break-ins. Court papers say the man and woman arrested were believed to be the ringleaders.
Officers reportedly found numerous stolen checks at the couple’s home, records show. Both suspects have criminal history and are known to local police.
“They’re prolific repeat offenders,” Snell said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449, rking@heraldnet.com.
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