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Sandra Yi ReportingDet. Sgt. Lloyd Kilpack, Bountiful Police Dept. :"If you were to come up with a foolproof method to prevent ID theft at the cash register, you'd be a billionaire tomorrow, but that remains to be seen."
More Uthans have fallen prey to identity theft. Police say some of the victims in this case may not even know they were targeted. Investigators uncovered the operation last night and arrested two people.
A Bountiful police officer saw a man outside this Smiths Marketplace store. He thought something was suspicious. Turns out his hunch was right.
Det. Sgt. Lloyd Kilpack: "What makes this particular case unique was it was mobile."
Police say the suspects' cars were operation headquarters.
Det. Sgt. Lloyd Kilpack: "All of the computer equipment, laptop computer and the scanner and the printer that was being utilized to manufacture the stuff, were connected to the vehicle."
Among the suitcases and baskets full of clothes, investigators discovered thousands of dollars in forged checks, including the equipment used to make them.
Det. Sgt. Lloyd Kilpack: "Some payroll checks from four or five companies in the Salt Lake County area. We don't believe that they exist, but that aspect is under investigation."
Police arrested Jeffrey Andersen and Kimberlee Goetz last night, outside a grocery store. They knew each other, but were in their own cars.
Police say the couple stole mail from homes in Salt Lake and Davis Counties. They are also suspects in a storage shed burglary in Woods Cross. Police believe there are at least a dozen victims, and possibly many more.
Det. Sgt. Lloyd Kilpack: "We hate to create a situation where society is incredibly paranoid, and don't dare utilize the freedoms we enjoy, but at the same time, it's just good common sense."
The couple may have been feeding a drug habit. Investigators found a large amount of meth and drug paraphernalia. And there's evidence little kids may have been around it all.
Det. Sgt. Lloyd Andersen: "What's very upsetting is, in addition with the meth, the needles and the syringes were mingled with children's clothing."
Police tell us those kids are in state custody. The couple is in the Davis County Jail. Police say this is another reminder to be cautious with personal information. The suspects in this case had pre-approved credit card applications, so be sure to shred those, and always take bills to the post office.
