North Jersey Woman Stole 6 People's Identities To Withdraw From Their Banks: State

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A Jersey City woman used six people's identities and documents to withdraw thousands of dollars from their bank accounts across New Jersey, state officials said Tuesday.

Ibelis Gonzalez, 46, was charged with theft by deception and other offenses, said the office of state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.

Between May 14 and June 10 of 2024, according to an indictment, Gonzalez visited Citizens Bank branches across the state using fake debit cards to withdraw money from six victims' accounts.

She withdrew approximately $60,500 through in-person visits to bank locations, and approximately $25,000 more through debit transactions andstops at ATM machines.

The total amount stolen was estimated at $86,840, officials said.

The spree finally ended on June 10, 2024, after Gonzalez entered a Citizens Bank branch in Irvington, allegedly trying to apply for a debit card using a fictitious Massachusetts ID that had her photo with one of the victims' names.

Bank staff contacted the Irvington police, and responding officers confiscated the fake ID.

Gonzalez was charged with one count of second-degree theft by deception, one count of second-degree impersonation or theft of identity, and one count of third-degree offenses involving false government documents.

“The defendant co-opted the identities of six different people and then stole money from their bank accounts,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Identity theft crimes like these not only have a financial cost but they are extremely disruptive to victims’ lives.”

“These cases remind everyone to always safeguard personal identifying information and carefully check financial statements to ensure that someone isn’t accessing your money without your knowledge,” said Department of Criminal Justice Director Theresa Hilton.

Second-degree crimes in New Jersey carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $150,000, the state said. Third-degree charges carry up to five years in prison and $15,000 in fines.