NOVEMBER 27, 2013

75th criminal employment operation leads to the arrest of three for ID theft at valley business

Bookmark and Share

PHOENIX – Three suspects have been arrested following an ID Theft investigation of a Valley business with headquarters in Mesa, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio reported. The three arrested were employees of East Valley Disaster Services (EVDS), a restoration business specializing in water, fire and smoke damage to homes and businesses. This constitutes the 75th criminal employment operation conducted by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Employment Squad and highlights the Sheriff’s steadfastness in enforcing all Arizona ID theft laws.

Arpaio said the Sheriff's Office investigation into EVDS began when deputies received information that possibly 22 employees at EVDS may have used falsified documents to gain employment. Sheriff’s deputies researched this information and confirmed that seven employees of the company were in fact using false identification. Thus far four victims have been identified and are assisting in prosecution.

Arpaio said his deputies served a search warrant November 20, 2013, at the EVDS office at 257 W. Broadway Rd, Mesa. The company’s owner has been very cooperative with Sheriff’s investigators and assisted detectives during the arrests.

“This owner cooperated,” said Sheriff Arpaio. “Business owners in similar situations should do the same to stem the tide of this type of illegal activity.”

Three suspects have been arrested and booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on charges of ID theft and Forgery.

Sheriff Arpaio concluded, “I’m sure the victims of identity theft appreciate the knowledge that my office will continue to investigate ID theft and forgery cases with great urgency and will continue to focus on employers involved in the illegal hiring of people using false identification.” Arpaio also mentioned that the investigation continues.

readers love sonoran news