A South Elgin man has been charged with stealing a woman’s identity to obtain a job and later unemployment benefits, totaling more than $100,000.
Vincente Zaragoza, 43, was arrested at his home Monday by South Elgin police after a two-week long investigation, police said.
Zaragoza faces one count of felony theft.
A Chicago woman attempting to apply for public aid discovered her Social Security number was falsely used by Zaragoza to obtain a job at Custom Aluminum in South Elgin, Sgt. Mike Doty said Tuesday.
Zaragoza, who is originally from Mexico, worked for the company from September 2003 through February 2009, earning about $119,000, Doty said.
Zaragoza said he also received $500 every two weeks in unemployment benefits from April of this year until his arrest, according to the sergeant.
–Associated Press
