For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1400003 |
| Date Issued: | Jan 17, 2014 - 10:54am |
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Sheriff's Detectives arrest Reno woman on multiple counts of Identity Theft |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Washoe County Sheriff's Office Detectives arrested Velvet Breanna Knight Beaman aka Velvet Bernhard, age 25 of Reno, on January 13, 2014, on 27 counts of Identity Theft and Using Identifying Information of Another with Intent To Harm. Additional charges included Burglary, Possession of a Forged Instrument, and Uttering a Forged Instrument.
Under Nevada Revised Statute 205.4617, personal identifying information can include a person's name, account numbers, social security number, date of birth, and numerous other items commonly used for identification purposes.
Beaman acquired the personal identifying information of at least 11 identified victims within Washoe County, through various means. After obtaining this information, Beaman would fraudulently conduct financial transactions, including checking transactions and credit card transactions. Many of the identified victims were not aware of the fraud until notified by Detectives from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office Fraud Unit.
Detectives have identified and contacted most known victims and are working diligently with financial institutions to identify additional victims.
Beaman is currently being held in the Washoe County Detention Facility. Her bail was set at $575,000.00. Beaman is also being held on Probation Violation charges by the Nevada State Parole and Probation Department.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens to stay alert. Sheriff's Office tips that will help minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud are available on the Staying Safe page of washoesheriff.com.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.
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