Traffic Stop Leads To Identity Theft Charges
On Thursday October 25, 2018, a Newark Police officer was on routine patrol on East Main Street at approximately 9:15 p.m. The officer observed a vehicle pull out onto East Main Street and was driving with no headlights on. A traffic stop was initiated by the officer. The officer contacted a male driver who presented the officer with a piece of paper that contained a photocopied foreign driver’s license. The male claimed to be from the United Kingdom. The female passenger gave a conflicting account as to their identities. During a search of the vehicle, a large amount of United States Currency and Foreign currency was located. Also located in the vehicle were various bank account and legal documents containing multiple identities. Officers were unable to confirm either person’s identity and they were taken into custody.
During a search at NPD Headquarters, officers located 5 credit cards and 3 fictitious drivers licenses on the female, all of which contained the male’s picture. After further investigation, officers were able to identify the male driver as 49-year-old John A. Medina of Bronx, NY and the female passenger as 33-year-old Grace Umoffia of Bronx, NY.
Based upon the paperwork, credit cards, and fictitious drivers’ licenses, all of which had stolen identity’s on them, officers charged them with the following:
John A. Medina (No Photo Available)
Identity Theft (4 Counts)
Forgery 2nd Degree (14 Counts)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree
Driving Without Headlights
Grace Umoffia
Identity Theft (4 counts)
Conspiracy 2nd Degree
John Medina was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued $140,001 cash bond. Medina was transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institute in lieu of bail.
Grace Umoffia was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court #11 and issued $84,000 cash bond. Umoffia was transported to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute in lieu of bail.
Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Anderson at WAnderson@newark.de.us or 302-366-7100 ext. 3469 or Officer Vari at AVari@newark.de.us or 302-366-7100 ext. 3486.
Grace Umoffia
