Edison Police Arrest Alleged Identity Thief

EDISON, NJ - If you live in Edison and had your identity compromised in the last year, this may be of interest: Detectives have charged a 35-year-old Elizabeth man with stealing the identity of several Edison residents in the past year.

James C. Clay, 35, was charged with identity theft and fraud after they after a five-month joint investigation with Elizabeth police and the U.S. Postal Service.

The investigation began last October after several Edison residents reported being the victims of identity theft, Det. Jeff Tierney said. The victims’ online accounts were allegedly hacked, their mail was diverted, and loans and credit cards were allegedly applied for and received in their names.

“This is a crime of the future, that’s here today,” Tierney said. “The search warrant that Edison police received for Mr. Clay’s residence is one of the first in New Jersey ever issued to municipal police for an investigation into such a sophisticated identity theft case."

Police arrested him at his home this week, where they seized his computers, smartphones and other evidence. More charges may be coming.

“I find it shameful that these days people’s finances can be hijacked and their identities stolen with a few computer keystrokes,” said Police Chief Thomas Bryan. "It's no longer enough for municipal police departments to focus their effort on traditional thefts or ordinary burglaries.”

Clay is currently being held without bail at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center.