State Police arrest three on identity theft counts

PORT ALLEN — State Police arrested three Chicago residents on counts of identity theft, Trooper Russell Graham said in a news release.

A state trooper made the arrests during a Jan. 16 traffic stop on La. 415 when he became suspicious after talking with the driver, Julius H. Moore, 22, Graham said.

After the trooper obtained Moore’s consent to search the vehicle, he found thousands of dollars worth of merchandise purchased in the Baton Rouge area, Graham said.

Moore, and his two passengers, Monique Bowens, 21, and Keith Bond, 45, all of Chicago, were arrested and later booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center on counts of illegal possession of stolen things.

The merchandise, packed in several bags, was returned to stores from which it had been stolen, Graham said.

Moore, Bowens and Bond will be transferred to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison to face prosecution on counts of identity theft and access device fraud, Graham said.