6 New Yorkers charged with using fake IDs, cards at Apple store

Six New Yorkers allegedly brought their criminal enterprise targeting Apple stores to the Midwest, authorities said.

Lake County sheriff’s detectives learned on Wednesday that members of a New York criminal enterprise were trying to make fraudulent purchases at various Apple stores in the Chicago area using fake and stolen IDs and credit card numbers of victims throughout the country, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s detectives and highway patrol deputies immediately began conducting increased patrols and surveillance at the Apple store in Deer Park, according to the sheriff’s office.

On Wednesday, 21-year-old Nicole E. Cannon of New York, New York, tried to use a fraudulent ID and credits cards at the store, according to the sheriff’s office. She was charged with burglary, possession of a counterfeit credit card, use of a counterfeit credit card, unlawful use of a fraudulent ID to commit theft, identity theft and forgery, all felonies, and ordered held on a $125,000 bond.

Two days later, 41-year-old Gisselle Diaz of Elmhurst, New York, also tried to buy products at the same store with a fraudulent identity, according to the sheriff’s office. She was charged with retail theft, identity theft and burglary, all felonies, and ordered held on a $75,000 bond.

On Sunday, four people — 26-year-old Corbett Ortiz, 18-year-old Quinton Ortiz, 21-year-old Melinda Aquino and 20-year-old Frank Aulet — also tried to fraudulently purchase Apple products at the same store.

Corbett Ortiz, of New York, New York; and Quintin Ortiz, of Bronx, New York, were each charged with burglary, possession of a counterfeit credit card, use of a counterfeit credit card, unlawful use of a fraudulent ID to commit theft, identity theft, and forgery, all felonies, according to the statement. Both were ordered held without bond.

Aquino, of Bronx, New York, was charged with burglary, possession of a counterfeit credit card, unlawful use of a fraudulent ID to commit theft and identity theft, all felonies, according to the statement. She is being held on a $150,000 bond.

Aulet, of Bronx, New York, was charged with possession of a counterfeit credit card, possession of a fraudulent ID to commit theft and identity theft, all felonies, and ordered held on a $250,000 bond.

The sheriff’s office recovered more than $10,000 worth of stolen Apple products from the group, according to the statement.