Brooklyn Trio Arrested for Identity Theft and Unauthorized Use of Rental Van

Police found stolen electronics, counterfeit IDs, and fraudulent purchases in the suspects' U-Haul van.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Three Brooklyn residents were arrested in Carmel, New York after police responded to a report of a suspicious U-Haul van in a parking lot. A search of the van uncovered stolen electronics, counterfeit IDs, and receipts for fraudulent purchases made using a victim's identity and financial information. The rental company also reported that the van was significantly overdue and the occupants were unauthorized to have or drive the vehicle.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of identity theft and organized retail crime, which can have significant financial and personal impacts on victims. It also underscores the importance of public vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement in reporting suspicious activity.

The details

When police questioned the three occupants of the U-Haul van, they gave "repeated inconsistent and deceptive statements" about their travel and reasons for being in Mahopac. A search of the van uncovered three new iPads, five new iPhones, and new AirPods Pro Max, as well as receipts from fraudulent purchases made using a victim's identity and financial information from Westchester, Illinois. Police also found two counterfeit Illinois driver's licenses with fake identities and several stolen bank cards.

  • On February 1, the Carmel Police Department's K-9 officer responded to the Skyline Towing parking lot on Route 6 after receiving a report of a suspicious U-Haul van.
  • The rental company told police that the U-Haul was significantly overdue and that the occupants were unauthorized to have or drive the vehicle.

The players

Town of Carmel Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the report of the suspicious U-Haul van and made the arrests.

Skyline Towing

The parking lot where the suspicious U-Haul van was reported and located by police.

Westchester, Illinois victim

The individual whose identity and financial information was used to make fraudulent purchases, as evidenced by the receipts found in the U-Haul van.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of identity theft and organized retail crime, which can have significant financial and personal impacts on victims. It underscores the importance of public vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement in reporting suspicious activity.