Coupeville Man Arrested for Identity Theft

Skagit County, Washington– A Coupeville man, who is listed as a transient,  was arrested at the Swinomish Casino Parking lot  on an  outstanding warrant out of Snohomish County on May.  Island County Jail declined to accept the man, later identified as 30-year old  Keith Wheeler and he was released.

According to a probable cause affidavit of arrest obtained by SkagitBreaking.com through a public disclosure request, Mr. Wheeler continued to loiter in the parking lot of the casino and was asked to leave on several occasions over a period of the next hour.

Casino Security advised Officers that they needed to serve Mr. Wheeler with paperwork barring him from the premises. He was told he is no longer allowed in the casino, in the parking lot, or at the Chevron or in the Chevron parking lot. Mr. Wheeler acknowledged and continued to loiter before heading for Casino Drive.  Mr. Wheeler pretended to head for SR20 and then turned and headed directly for the Chevron Gas Station.   Officers again contacted Mr. Wheeler and took him into custody for Trespassing as he had been given ample time to leave the are and chose not to do so.

A search of Mr. Wheeler after arrest revealed 12 pieces of identification that did not belong to him including three Washington Drivers License, a U.S. Navy Id Card, Citi Visa,  two Alaska USA Visa cards, Military Star Credit card, a concealed pistol license, a capital one visa, Kia Visa, and Washington Id Cards. These cards were in the names of four  separate individuals. (R.S., K.B., E.S. and S. D.)

Mr. Wheeler was booked into the Skagit County Jail  on August 15th, 2016 for Investigation of three counts of Possession of another persons identity and two counts of stolen property 2nd degree. He is currently being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.