DUNDEE, MI — Dundee police say an attempted identity theft operation was stopped Sunday evening, December 14 after employees at a retailer alerted authorities to suspicious activity.
On Sunday, December 14, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Dundee Police were dispatched to the Tractor Supply store after employees reported that an individual attempted to obtain store credit using fraudulent identification and was denied. Employees further advised that the same individual had attempted similar activity at other Tractor Supply locations in the region using false identification.
A description of the suspect and his vehicle was provided to 911 and shared with responding officers.
While en route to the store, Dundee Police Officer Mike Norman observed a vehicle matching the description entering US-23. Officer Norman conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who initially denied being at Tractor Supply or attempting to obtain fraudulent credit.
As the investigation progressed, the suspect, identified as a 36-year-old man from Detroit, admitted to attempting to use fraudulent identification. Police say the suspect used the identity of a 35-year-old man from Beaverton, Michigan, and had placed his own photograph onto the fake identification.
Officers also determined that the suspect successfully obtained credit using fraudulent identification at the Dundee Cabela’s store prior to the Tractor Supply attempt.
Investigators believe the incident may be connected to a larger, statewide identity theft and retail fraud operation in which stolen identities are used to obtain goods and services, leaving unsuspecting victims responsible for the resulting charges.
The investigation remains ongoing. Dundee police are awaiting video evidence and supporting documentation from Cabela’s before submitting the case to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office for review of potential local charges.
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