NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Six people from Long Island were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly opening multiple Lowe’s credit card accounts in the names of various victims to make fraudulent purchases of gift cards totaling over $25,000, prosecutors said.
Ananda Gabriel, Aameer Waight, Abilio Sanchez, Anthony Colon, Rashad Provost, and Jonathan Lynce are accused of grand larceny, identity theft, and other related charges for their roles in an identity theft scheme at Lowe’s stores, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.
“These arrests allege a pattern of identity theft that represents a significant breach of personal security for victims across the United States,” said Tierney. “Charges of identity theft often intersect with retail theft, as stolen identities are often used to make fraudulent purchases, potentially leading to substantial losses for merchants as well as headaches for consumers.”
According to the investigation, between October 2023 and February 2024, the defendants allegedly opened Lowe’s credit card accounts online using the names and identities of multiple United States residents, without their consent. They then allegedly used those accounts to purchase more than $25,000 worth of gift cards from various Lowe’s store locations throughout Long Island.
Additionally, in November 2023, Gabriel allegedly rented an apartment in Patchogue using the identity of another Suffolk County resident without their consent or awareness. To date, Gabriel has allegedly not paid any rent for that apartment.
Gabriel, 23, of Patchogue, was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree, five counts of identity theft in the first degree, one count of identity theft in the second degree, two counts of identity theft in the third degree, one count of attempted petit larceny, and one count of attempted identity theft in the third degree.
Waight, 22, of Central Islip, was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree and one count of identity theft in the first degree.
Sanchez, 20, of Huntington Station, was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree and one count of identity theft in the first degree.
Colon, 25, of Bay Shore, was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree, one count of identity theft in the first degree, one count of attempted petit larceny, and one count of attempted identity theft in the third degree.
Provost, 23, of Mastic Beach, was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree, one count of identity theft in the first degree, one count of identity theft in the second degree, and one count of identity theft in the third degree.
Lynce, 22, of Central Islip, was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree and two counts of identity theft in the first degree.
All the defendants were released from jail without bail because their charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set, bail.