A prolific identity thief was arrested Thursday, March 6, thanks to the joint efforts of the Bellevue Police Department, Tukwila Police Department and the Greater Puget Sound Financial Fraud and Identity Theft Task Force.

The 40-year-old male, a repeat offender with 16 previous felony convictions, is the primary suspect in a series of identity thefts that started in December of 2013 and spanned five counties: Snohomish, King, Pierce, Kitsap and Thurston. The suspect is alleged to have used 14 known victims’ identities to obtain merchandise and cash totaling over $150,000.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. the police received a tip that the suspect was going to be signing loan documents in Tukwila at 5 p.m. Tukwila police took the lead by quickly assembling surveillance and arrest teams, supported by Bellevue police detectives. The suspect arrived at his appointment and was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect is being held on a Department of Corrections warrant pending the filing of new charges by multiple agencies this week.