Batavia man accused of ID theft, forgery

A Batavia man has been charged with aggravated identity theft, accused of using a stolen credit card to obtain more than $1,500 worth of goods and cash.

Batavia police arrested Edward R. Arbet. 55, of the 600 block of North Prairie Street, Thursday. He is expected to appear in Kane County bond call Friday morning.

According to police, Arbet used a stolen credit card, given to him by an acquaintance, to try to buy clothing in early June. While investigating that incident, police learned the credit card was also used to obtain cash and goods at several other Batavia stores. In at least two cases, Arbet signed the victim's name to receipts, police said.

The identity theft charge is aggravated because the victim is 60 or older.

Since 1983, Arbet has been charged numerous times with crimes according to Kane County court records, including domestic battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, theft and trespassing, And from 2010 to date, Arbet has been charged at least eight times with disorderly conduct, three times with trespassing, twice with possession of open alcohol in public, once with possession of marijuana, and once with assault.

In 2006, Arbet pleaded guilty to selling narcotics within 1,000 feet of a Batavia school and was sentenced to six years in prison. In 1991, 1994 and 1997, he pleaded guilty or was found guilty of theft, and was sent to prison.

Besides identity theft, Arbet is also charged with theft over $300, unlawful use of a credit card and two counts of forgery.

If found guilty of the latest charges, he could be sentenced to as many as 27 years in prison, according to Batavia police.