Two Bridgeport Women Arrested in ID Theft Investigation

Two Bridgeport women turned themselves into on July 10 on active warrants stemming from an identity theft investigation that originated in October of last year, according to Sgt. John Lynch.

Mentael Mota, 25, of 153 Main St., (not pictured) and Worneversteen McCoy, 35, of 129 Sage Ave., were both charged with trafficking in personal identifying information and conspiracy to commit ID theft in the second degree

According to the police report, the victims discovered unauthorized withdrawals from their checking accounts. The withdrawals were in the form of Automated
Clearing House (ACH) withdrawals, which can be made by phone, and amounted to $1,431.56.

Police said that Marque Harris, 32, of Poplar Street in Bridgeport would allegedly offer to pay other people‘s bills and tell them that he could match whatever payment they made, which would allow them to pay down their bills quicker.

According to police, Harris would then use other people‘s account information to make the bill payments. McCoy allegedly paid her bills using this method and was involved in the recruitment of other "clients" for Harris.

Police also learned that Mota, who had been in a dating relationship with Harris, previously worked as a real estate agent for one of the victims. During this time, the victim paid Mota by check for her commission. The account associated with this check belonged to the victim, which was compromised a few weeks later.

McCoy's bond was set at $30,000 and she was arraigned in on July 10. Mota's bond was set at $60,000 and she was scheduled to appear in court on on July 17.