Daughter on run after mother accused of identity theft

The sign outside Winter Haven Honda says "No Credit or Bad Credit," but it doesn't say "Someone else's credit."

On January 25, police say Norma Castro and her daughter, Keisha Nicole Garcia-Castro went into Winter Haven Honda. 

They filled out credit applications for a $43,000 Accord and a $57,000 Pilot. The pair were approved and left with the vehicles. 

"They wanted to get them for free," said Jamie Brown of Winter Haven Police. "They knew exactly what they were doing, this isn't their first rodeo."

A few days later, Castro tried to get a third car, but the dealer tipped off police that the first check was flagged later on by Lifelock. 

Upon arrest, police say Castro's purse was filled with documents containing other people's names, birthdays and Social Security numbers.

"We are trying to figure out who all these people are," said Brown. "We have to validate, were these identities of true people, we don't know, we have to sift through all of it."

A woman who answered the door at Castro's address identified herself as Norma and said she didn't know where her daughter was.

Indeed, police say Keisha is on the run.

"She needs to do the right thing, come back, and fess up to what she did," said Brown, "And don't let her mom take the fall for this."

The Federal Trade Commission says Florida was second in the nation in identity theft in 2016, with 34,000 complaints. 

"That's really bad when you work hard like that and someone tries to steal what you are working very hard for," said Sam Cherfils, a Winter Haven resident who says he is concerned by identity theft.

The dealership said they got the cars back, but sold them to another dealer. They did not want to comment on their procedures.

Anyone with information on Garcia-Castro's whereabouts is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). Callers are guaranteed anonymity and could be eligible for a cash reward.