Two suspected Florida identity thieves are in jail after a hotel employee alerted deputies when the pair tried to make a reservation with fraudulent IDs.
“This is a terrific example of how we partner with our community and work closely with local hotel and motel staff to deter criminal activity,” Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said.
Sean Russette, 30, and Brandy Banser, 28, both of Cape Coral, face multiple felonies, including grand theft, illegal use of credit cards, and criminal use of personal information. Russette also has three active warrants for fraud and narcotics-related charges in Charlotte and Pinellas counties.
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Detectives and employees of the Hampton Inn by Hilton, 2630 Northbrooke Plaza Drive, were already familiar with Banser and Russette.
The pair stayed at the hotel in late October and racked up nearly $1,000 in charges with a stolen debit card. The transactions were captured on hotel security video.
Employees recognized the pair when they returned Monday and attempted to make a reservation using another fraudulent ID and multiple credit cards, which were declined, and contacted CCSO.
Further investigation by detectives found the Michigan and Texas IDs Banser and Russette provided were fake, as was the ID Russette used to rent the truck they traveled in.
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Detectives said Banser possessed multiple notebooks containing Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and other personal information of numerous individuals.
Russette is also charged with possession of fentanyl after detectives found 3.7 grams of the deadly opioid on him. Trafficking weight in Florida is 4 grams.
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