Purse Thief Charged For Identity Theft

Matthew Thomas Burke, 18, was charged today on identity theft charges and is jail on $10 000 bail. Burke stole a woman's purse and used her credit card to withdraw $500 from her account. He also used her social security number to change the pin access code on her account.

The man broke into a car and stole a purse. He took the cash from the purse and went to a nearby ATM to withdraw money from her account with her credit card.

Burke changed the pin number twice, and made 5 attempts to withdraw money from her account at an ATM in the borough.

Credit card company information, and ATM surveillance camera footage were used to trace Burke, and the man confessed to the crimes during police questioning.
The man has said that the cash stolen had already been spent. Burke is charged with device fraud, identity theft, receiving stolen property, theft from a motor vehicle and criminal mischief.

The woman's purse was returned to her minus her cards and cash after being found on the roof of a Wall Mart Store.