Lakeland woman accused of stealing multiple identities

LAKELAND (FOX 13) - The investigation into Tara Thompson started three weeks ago. Polk County deputies busted the 36-year-old after she didn’t show up to a work-release program.

“Upon her arrest, her purse was searched and that’s where they found eight credit cards and debit cards in her purse that belonged to different people,” said Sherrie Morgan with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Thompson’s arrest paperwork says the Lakeland woman told officials she had some stolen items at her house and agreed to let detectives search the property.

“That’s where they found a lot of notebooks and pieces of paper with social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other very important information,” Morgan said.

According to the court documents, deputies also discovered addresses, routing numbers, driver’s license details, multiple credit and banking applications, as well as a checkbook with the address switched to Thompson’s.

The notebooks had personal details for 10 people, who investigators say had no idea how Thompson had their information.

“I will tell you that she did know one of the victims, but the other victims she did not know, and we’re still trying to figure out exactly how she got their important information,” said Morgan.

Thompson faces six charges, including grand theft and criminal use of personal identification.

FOX 13 News spoke with Thompson Friday and she said all of the personal information and bank cards at the house belonged to a former roommate, and that she and her lawyer are fighting the charges.