Lombard man accused of identity theft, fraud
A Lombard man has been accused of identity theft and fraud that victimized at least 30 people, according to Wheaton police.
Mark Wrendina, 56, is accused of using stolen personal information to open fraudulent accounts, make unauthorized purchases, and access the financial data of the victims, police said Monday in a news release.
The investigation started in August 2022.
Wrendina is charged with continuing a financial crimes enterprise, identity theft, financial institution fraud, theft, forgery, and possession of child pornography.
He was arrested Sept. 25. He was released Sept. 26 because DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden determined that Wrendina did not present a real and present threat to the safety of any person, persons or the community, based on the facts of the case.
The accusations
The prosecution’s petition to detain Wrendina was based on the child pornography charges, which are detention-eligible.
The petition stated that police received a tip in August 2022 that Wrendina was committing identity theft.
The tipster said they had found a safe in a garage with people’s names, Social Security numbers, and other identifying information. The petition stated Wrendina was not permitted in the home, which was not his home.
Investigators believe he obtained the identity information through common mailroom areas, workplaces and online, according to the detention petition.
The indictment alleges he stole $500 from two people and at least $10,000 but not more than $100,000 from a business.
In May, police searched Wrendina’s apartment and found an external hard drive that they say contained several videos of child pornography.
According to an indictment, Wrendina is accused of possessing one man’s W-9 tax number identification statement, another man’s W-2 earnings statement, a fake driver’s license in one of the victim’s name, and three people’s driver’s licenses.
The petition stated Wrendina has convictions for forgery and identity theft.
Conditions of release
Dieden prohibited Wrendina from contacting eight complainants specified in the indictment and having contact with anyone under age 18. He also ordered Wrendina to allow pre-trial services to put monitoring software on all his electronic devices and prohibited him from entering any BMO Harris Bank locations.
His next court date is Oct. 20.