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Two accused in identity theft, conspiracy incident in Upshur

Rosario-Tavarez

Antigua-Vicente

FRENCH CREEK — Two people are facing identity theft and conspiracy charges after allegedly using an Upshur County resident’s identity to purchase a $1,000 iPhone and then leading police through a high-speed, multi-county chase in 2023.

Ramon De Jesus Rosario-Tavarez, 22, and Yamilka Antigua-Vicente, 21, are both charged with one count of taking the identity of another person for credit or employment purposes, one count of attempt to commit felony punishable by imprisonment for a term less than life, and one count of conspiracy against the state, all felonies.

Tavarez is currently being held at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $75,000 surety/cash bond, while Vicente is being held at TVRJ on a $30,000 cash-only bond.

Taverez is also charged with two counts of altering a motor vehicle registration title with fraudulent intent, and one count of fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a vehicle showing a reckless indifference to safety of others, both felonies.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Cpl. Tyler A. Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on July 14, 2023, Sgt. Dewaine Linger received a 911 call regarding potential fraud and a verbal altercation at a residence in French Creek. Prior to his arrival on scene, Linger observed the suspect vehicle that was described by the caller, driving in an “erratic… manner showing disregard for the safety of any other motorists.” The vehicle had a temporary Texas registration.

Linger attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle; however, the vehicle fled south on Route 20 South Road traveling at speeds “exceeding 90 miles per hour,” driving 80 mph in a posted 40 mph zone and driving into the opposing lane of travel in blind turns, the complaint states.

The vehicle continued to flee into Lewis and Braxton counties, the complaint states, reaching speeds of more than 100 mph in a posted 40 mph zone and “nearly causing numerous collisions.” The suspect then crashed the vehicle in the driveway at a residence in Napier, Braxton County before two suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The home owner told officers that he observed the two suspects in his yard, “carrying what he described as an armful of items, including electronic tablets.”

According to the criminal complaint, the initial issue of potential fraud occurred when the alleged victim, a resident in French Creek, received a package containing an iPhone he had not ordered. An hour after the package arrived, the two suspects arrived and the alleged victim spoke with the female suspect.

Through an investigation of items found in the crashed vehicle in Napier, Taverez and Vicente were identified as the two suspects, the complaint states. Gordon writes that, on Aug. 6, 2023, Taverez and Vicente were arrested after a similar incident in Clarksville, Indiana.

Gordon also found that, through the Texas DMV, the temporary plate on Taverez’s vehicle was not only expired, but had been forged as well to display a different VIN and expiration date, the complaint states.

“In my training and experience, I have become aware that this is consistent with the behavior of organized criminal organizations,” Gordon wrote.

According to the criminal complaint, it was determined that Taverez and Vicente had been attempting to fraudulently obtain an iPhone 14 Pro Max, valued at approximately $1,199.99, by “unlawfully and without authorization” using the alleged victim’s personal information, including his name, address and email address.

Charges were filed against Taverez and Vicente on Oct. 8, 2024, but they were not in West Virginia police custody until July 9 of this year. Preliminary hearings for both Taverez and Vicente were scheduled for Monday in Upshur County Magistrate Court.

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