A young Pennsylvania couple has been charged with using a combination of old-fashioned and high-tech burglary techniques to help fuel a globe-hopping, luxury lifestyle.
Edward Anderton, 25, and Jocelyn Kirsch, 22, were arrested last Friday on suspicion of identity theft, forgery, and unlawful use of a computer. They voluntarily returned to Philadelphia police headquarters to answer to additional charges, including theft and burglary.
A Pennsylvania judge doubled Anderton’s bail to $100,000 and Kirsch’s to $75,000 after prosecutors pointed out that the couple has been evicted from the upscale apartment where they had been living and now have no fixed address.
The couple spent last night in jail, but are expected to post bail Thursday.
Something Old, Something New
The primary victims of the crime spree were the neighbors of the alleged perpetrators at the Belgravia, located in Rittenhouse Square not far from Philadelphia’s City Hall. Police believe that the couple somehow obtained keys to other condo units and used them to steal both items and information from residents. A search of the couple’s apartment turned up several stolen items and more than $17,000 in cash.
The search also turned up the tools of the modern-day identity thief: multiple computers and printers, a scanner, and an industrial-quality machine used for creating identity cards. Along with the equipment, police seized dozens of credit cards and fake driver’s licenses.
Philadelphia police reportedly are investigating whether surveillance software was installed on victim’s computers to track their online activity and capture passwords and other confidential information. However, the detective in charge of the investigation was not available for comment, and the press office had no additional information about the case.
Officials claim that Anderton and Kirsch used the fake IDs and stolen credit information during the last two years to purchase a dizzying array of electronics, expensive meals, and lavish travel around…