Riverbank police arrest two in identity theft scheme

Riverbank Police Services detectives arrested two suspected identify thieves this month after they used one of their victim’s identities to purchase cell phones.

Gilliam Joy Stephens, 39, and Dwayne Alton Sterling, 41, allegedly used the stolen identity to purchase three cell phones at the Verizon Wireless store in Riverbank last month.

One of the phones was not available that day so Stephens returned on Dec. 1 to pick it up, according to a press release. Verizon staff called police and notified them the suspect had returned; she was subsequently arrested.

During the initial investigation detectives found Stephens had identification cards and credit cards that did not belong to her.

Detectives searched Streling’s home in Modesto and found one of the phones purchased by Stephens. When detectives searched his car they found several ledgers with hand-written personal identifying information, stolen credit cards, stolen checks, credit card scanners, gift cards and stolen mail.

A few days later detectives searched Stephens home in Salida and found stolen mail, stolen credit cards, stolen checks, and what appeared to be a washed check printing operation.

“Detectives believe Stephens and Sterling have been very active in the Central Valley stealing people’s identity, washing stolen checks and cashing stolen checks,” according to the press release.

Both Sterling and Stephens were arrested on suspicion of several felony charges and booked into Stanislaus County Jail.

If you believe you are a victim or have information on this investigation please contact Detective Gingerich at 209-863-7146.

If you have any tips, you can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 7:15 PM with the headline "Riverbank police arrest two in identity theft scheme."