An identity theft suspect has some identity issues of his own. Police are looking for a cross-dresser suspected of stealing thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims who now have to clear their names.
Missouri City Police discovered the clever cover-up after a tipster recognized their suspect as 28-year-old Michael Vash Payne, rather than the woman seen on security video.
The crime wave isn't over because the cross-dressing ID theft suspect is still at large.
100 collection letters represent 100 headaches for victim Monica Johnson.
"Very frustrating... every time I would go to the mailbox I would just get angry," said Johnson.
An identity thief stole Johnson's ID and has been using her name to write phony checks since last May.
"He took a liking to my name and continued using my name," she said.
Every time he does, Monica gets another collection notice she has to convince someone she's not responsible for.
"I was very upset because I felt like I was being violated," she said.
But how does a "he" steal a "she's" identity? It's simple if "he" walks into the store dressed as woman.
"The cashier told his manager that it was a woman, but he thought it was a male dressed as a woman," said Missouri City Police Detective Russell Terry.
The cross-dressing confusion has left police frustrated trying to track down the suspect, 28-year-old Michael Vash Payne. Police believe Payne has stolen as many as 14 identities, written bad checks to more than 80 businesses all over Houston, and stolen more than $22,000.
Oddly, most checks have been written to Kroger for groceries.
"What I think, possibly, is that this suspect is buying groceries for someone else and getting paid to do that," said Terry.
Either way, victims like Monica Johnson just want this suspect caught.
"My character is the one that's being damaged," said Johnson.
Police say Michael Vash Payne does have a criminal record involving identity fraud.
The most helpful tip to protect yourself is to check finances daily in order to catch suspicious activity early.
Missouri City Police discovered the clever cover-up after a tipster recognized their suspect as 28-year-old Michael Vash Payne, rather than the woman seen on security video.
The crime wave isn't over because the cross-dressing ID theft suspect is still at large.
100 collection letters represent 100 headaches for victim Monica Johnson.
"Very frustrating... every time I would go to the mailbox I would just get angry," said Johnson.
An identity thief stole Johnson's ID and has been using her name to write phony checks since last May.
"He took a liking to my name and continued using my name," she said.
Every time he does, Monica gets another collection notice she has to convince someone she's not responsible for.
"I was very upset because I felt like I was being violated," she said.
But how does a "he" steal a "she's" identity? It's simple if "he" walks into the store dressed as woman.
"The cashier told his manager that it was a woman, but he thought it was a male dressed as a woman," said Missouri City Police Detective Russell Terry.
The cross-dressing confusion has left police frustrated trying to track down the suspect, 28-year-old Michael Vash Payne. Police believe Payne has stolen as many as 14 identities, written bad checks to more than 80 businesses all over Houston, and stolen more than $22,000.
Oddly, most checks have been written to Kroger for groceries.
"What I think, possibly, is that this suspect is buying groceries for someone else and getting paid to do that," said Terry.
Either way, victims like Monica Johnson just want this suspect caught.
"My character is the one that's being damaged," said Johnson.
Police say Michael Vash Payne does have a criminal record involving identity fraud.
The most helpful tip to protect yourself is to check finances daily in order to catch suspicious activity early.
