Woman Bought iPhones, Jewelry With Stolen Identity: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A woman is accused of buying several iPhones and jewelry with a stolen identity, along with trying to take over the victim’s bank account, according to police.

Police began investigating a fraud complaint on Jan. 17 after someone used the victim’s personal identifying information to open an AT&T account and buy a new iPhone 14, according to Sgt. Stephen Jaques.

Officers found that the victim previously had their wallet stolen from their car in their driveway.

Several days later, on Jan. 30, Jaques said someone tried to open two credit accounts in the victim’s name with two different credit card companies.

On Feb. 13, officers were notified that the suspect additionally opened a fraudulent account in the victim’s name at another bank.

Also on Feb. 13, Jaques said someone tried to take over the victim’s bank account at a local branch in Meriden.

“The suspect tried to obtain a new debit card for the account, presented an identification in the name of the victim, and physically matched the victim’s description,” Jaques wrote in a news release. “The suspect could not provide the necessary information to complete the bank’s security questions to confirm the victim’s identity. The suspect left the bank without getting new debit cards or withdrawing funds.”

On Feb. 21, Jaques said the suspect bought two more iPhone 14 Pro Maxes at a T-Mobile store in Meriden. The suspect used the victim’s personal identifying information to purchase both phones, according to Jaques.

Officers also found that the suspect used the victim’s information on Jan. 6 to buy two Bulova watches at Zale’s Jewelers in Trumbull, according to Jaques.

The suspect was identified as Audrey Bennett, 22, of Woodbury, following a lengthy investigation that included multiple search warrants, Jaques said.

Bennett was arrested May 1 and charged with two counts of criminal impersonation, two counts of third-degree identity theft and one count each of fifth-degree larceny and criminal attempt at sixth-degree larceny. She was released after posting a $21,000 bond with a court date of May 15.