BELLINGHAM – A Bellingham man suspected of stealing checks, credit cards, passports, licenses and mail from more than 100 Whatcom County residents was booked into jail last week.
Frankie Michael Mazzei, 28, was initially booked by Bellingham Police for investigation of second- and third-degree possession of stolen property on Aug. 30.
Mazzei now faces charges for 113 counts of second-degree identity theft, 95 counts of third-degree possession of stolen property, four counts of second-degree possession of stolen property and three counts of unlawful possession of payment instruments, according to a Sept. 5 release from police spokesman Mark Young.
http://liarcatchers.com/identity_theft_investigation.html
Detectives were conducting a separate investigation and interviewing residents at Mazzei’s home in the 2400 block of McKenzie Avenue Aug. 30 when they saw what appeared to be stolen mail and checks in plain view, Young said. The officers got a search warrant and arrested Mazzei.
Police believe all of the recovered property was stolen from Whatcom County residents, mostly from unlocked mailboxes and parked vehicles, Young said.
Police are still attempting to contact all of the victims.
Mazzei has previous convictions for theft, burglary, possession of stolen property, forgery and vehicle prowling, according to court records.
Resources and tips for preventing and recognizing identity theft can be found online at ftc.gov/idtheft.
