ID theft suspect set up new life
Carpentersville man arrested after probe

By Gene Haschak
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Saturday, March 17, 2007



Using a Social Security number stolen 20 years ago in California, an illegal immigrant living in Carpentersville got a job and a driver’s license, opened checking accounts, took out two mortgages, and even filed bankruptcy, police said Friday.

That ended this week, police said.

Francisco G. Maldonado, 39, of 2 Wren Road, was charged with financial identity theft and possession of a fictitious identification card.

Police said Maldonado told them he bought the Social Security number in 1986 or 1987.

Police said he used it to secure two mortgages, his job at a concrete factory, credit card accounts, checking accounts for which he wrote several checks for insufficient funds, a driver’s license and an identification card.

Maldonado said he used the Social Security number in 2000 during his bankruptcy.

Police said Maldonado also gave the Social Security number to booking officers at the Carpentersville Police Department several times when he was arrested.

The California woman had filed several police reports in California.

Carpentersville police began working on the case recently after the woman had talked to credit and collection agencies, obtained the 2 Wren Road address and gave it to Carpentersville police.

Police obtained a photo of Maldonado from his driver’s license from the Illinois secretary of state’s office and called him in for an interview.

Maldonado admitted using the Social Security number, told police he knew it was wrong and said he was in the country illegally, police said.

When he was arrested Thursday, he had an Illinois driver’s license, department store credit card, a bank statement, checks with his name imprinted on them and a Blue Cross insurance card, according to a report.

Maldonado was unable to post $15,000 bond Friday and was taken to the Kane County jail. His next court date is on March 30 at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles.

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/kanesto ... ntersville