Lake Co. woman arrested for ID theft

A Zion woman has been charged with identity theft and other felonies for stealing the names of people and using the information to buy items over the Internet, Lincolnshire police said Wednesday.

Latoyia L. Price, 25, of 3005 Gilboa Ave., was charged with identity theft, forgery, computer fraud and child endangerment, Detective John-Erik Anderson said.

Identity theft is a class two felony, forgery is a class three felony, computer fraud is a class four felony and child endangerment is a class A misdemeanor. If convicted, Price could spend up to seven years behind bars, Anderson said.

Price stole identification paperwork from unsuspecting people and used that information to apply for credit cards in their name, Anderson said. Most of the victims were Lincolnshire residents who alerted police.

"We aren't exactly sure how she got the information from the victims," he said. "That is part of the ongoing investigation."

Price would shop online and at retail outlets in Lake County. Then, when purchasing items online, she would have the items shipped to an address in Waukegan, Anderson said. Armed with search warrants, police uncovered numerous electronic items - mostly Nintendo Wii game systems - at addresses in Zion and Waukegan.

Anderson said investigators also found a loaded handgun left within reach of her young child during the search of the Zion home. The Department of Children and Family Services is investigating the hand gun charge, and the child is staying with relatives.

Price remains in the Lake County jail where she was unable to post bond.