Portland (KIII News) — Three people in Portland were arrested Sunday in connection with a massive identity theft ring.
According to the Portland Police Department, the incident began as a shoplifting call but resulted in the discovery of a storage unit filled with stolen ID's and credit cards. Police confiscated more than 40 credit cards and 45 driver's licenses.
In the storage unit police found two passports, more than 25 Social Security cards, a military ID, a Department of Defense ID, a law enforcement ID and a printer to make counterfeit checks. Police said the different types of identification are not just from the Coastal Bend but cities like Austin and Dallas.
Stacy Garza, Xavier Garza, and Matthew Garcia were all arrested in connection with the case. According to Portland Police Chief Mark Cory, the suspects obtained the stolen items from open mailboxes and through vehicle burglaries.
"Through vehicle burglaries -- because everyone is careless about locking their vehicles and leaving their passports, and their driver's license, and wallets, and guns, and all sorts of other items in their vehicles," Cory said.
Police remind residents to always lock their vehicles.
Authorities said their next step in the investigation is to contact the owners of the stolen IDs.
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