West St. Paul Man Arrested for Large-Scale Identity Theft Operation | Crime

A West St. Paul man was arrested and charged today with identity theft and racketeering for directing a criminal enterprise.

Prosecutors say 55-year-old Donald Allen Ellis ran a large-scale identity theft operation that included credit card fraud, theft, and counterfeit checks. Ellis was “the boss” who allegedly had accomplices break into vehicles and steal purses. Credit cards were then used to buy merchandise, and the identities of the victims were printed on counterfeit checks, according to prosecutors.

Crimes were reported in Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, Scott, and Carver Counties as well as in Wisconsin. There have been at least eight victims.

Ellis is currently in custody at the Hennepin County jail and his bail was set at $1 million.