3 arrests in Houston ID theft ring involving 300 victims

Authorities in suburban Houston’s Montgomery County say three people have been arrested and more are expected after a traffic stop led to discovery of an identity theft ring believed to have stolen nearly 2,000 documents involving at least 300 victims.

According to court documents, sheriff’s officials pulled over a couple for speeding and found them hiding 52 forged driver’s licenses and 300 pieces of stolen mail. Their arrests led authorities to a west Houston motel room where a woman was arrested Monday with 1,700 pieces of stolen identities.

Houston television station KHOU reports court records show the ring stole credit cards, income tax documents, death certificates and other items from community mailboxes at apartment complexes. Authorities say they also ordered new credit cards using identities of their victims.