Cartersville Identity Theft Investigation Turns Violent

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Cartersville, GA -- An investigation into a case of identity theft took a violent turn on Thursday at a Cartersville residence.

The investigation kicked off Wednesday, Jan. 20 when an Alabama resident filed an incident report alleging his or her’s name, Social Security number and date of birth were used to get a job through a temporary staffing company in Cartersville, the police department said in its press release.

Investigators were able to track down the suspect to a home on White Oak Drive.

Officers approached the home around 9:40 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21. A woman answered the door, but “when officers identified themselves, the subject quickly slammed and locked the door,” Cartersville police said.

Officers continued to knock on the door, but the occupants inside the house allegedly refused to answer the door. While on the scene, officers also discovered a man trying to flee the home using its back door.

That man was detained briefly, but later released after police were able to confirm his identity and immigration status.

A short time later, another woman arrived at the home and identified herself as the daughter of the homeowner. Officers told the younger woman that they needed to speak with the female suspect as part of their criminal investigation.

The daughter informed police that her toddler son as well as two older children -- ages 8 and 11 -- were also inside the home. Investigators applied for a search warrant and while waiting for court authorization, more relatives arrived on the scene.

Those family members remained at the scene throughout Thursday’s incident, but did not interfere with the investigation, Cartersville police added.

After the court approved the search warrant, officers made entry into the home around 11:08 a.m. and announced their presence. Two adult women inside the home “refused to comply with verbal demands” and were subsequently placed under arrest by officers.

“Both adult females physically resisted arrest, and officers were forced to physically restrain both suspects,” Cartersville police added. “During the physical altercation, one of the suspects struck an officer in the face with her hand/fist.”

The altercation, police note, took place in front of the 8- and 11-year-old children. Once the home was secured, relatives were allowed to take custody of the children.

During the search, investigators unearthed and seized documents and information used for identification, including a Social Security card in the name of the Alabama resident, a fraudulent Georgia identification card displaying the victim’s information and a photograph of the primary suspect, who is tentatively identified as 39-year-old Clara Mojica.

Both women have been charged with one count each of misdemeanor obstruction of an officer and aggravated identity theft.

Both suspects refused to provide any identifying information to the arresting officers or deputies at the Bartow County Jail. They remain held without bond at the Jail.

Cartersville police say investigators are working with U.S. immigration officials to obtain the identities of both women and their immigration status.

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Image via Shutterstock