A seventh New Yorker has been charged with using a fake ID and credit card to try to buy products at a north suburban Apple store.
Simone L. Signorelli, 22, was charged with burglary, identity theft, possession of a counterfeit credit card and unlawful use of a fraudulent ID to commit theft, all felonies, according to the Lake County sheriff’s office.
The Deer Park Apple store contacted sheriff’s detectives Wednesday and informed them that a woman was attempting to fraudulently buy Apple products, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies responded and arrested Signorelli, who was ordered held on a $250,000 bond Thursday. She is next scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
Last week, sheriff’s detectives learned that New York crime ring had brought their enterprise targeting Apple stores to the Midwest. They were trying to make fraudulent purchase at various Chicago area stores using fake and stolen IDs and credit card numbers of victims throughout the country, according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s detectives and highway patrol deputies immediately began conducting increased patrols and surveillance at the Deer Park Apple store, and six suspects were arrested, including:
- Nicole E. Cannon, 21, of New York, New York;
- Giselle Diaz, 41, of Elmhurst, New York;
- Corbett Ortiz, 26, of New York, New York;
- Quintin Ortiz, 18, of Bronx, New York;
- Melinda Aquino, 21, of Bronx, New York; and
- Frank Aulet, 20, of Bronx, New York.
The sheriff’s office recovered more than $10,000 worth of stolen Apple products from the group, according to the statement. All six are being held at the Lake County Jail.
