
A Vernon Hills man has been charged with identity theft after police say he used another person’s name and identifiers while being processed during two arrests days apart in Lake County.
Steven C. Gouveia, 35, of Vernon Hills, was arrested by the Vernon Hills Police Department on July 15 on local charges.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said Gouveia identified himself as another person during the arrest.
The identity he provided was that of an acquaintance whom he had not seen in over a decade, Covelli said.
Gouveia was arrested on July 19 by the Libertyville Police Department for possessing fentanyl.
He again used the same name and birth date as he did four days prior during his arrest in Vernon Hills, Covelli said.
The discrepancy was discovered showing Gouveia lied about his personal information.
Covelli said the victim whose name and personal identifiers were being used by Gouveia came forward to report he was the victim of identity theft.
A sheriff’s deputy took an identity theft report and screened the case with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The state’s attorney’s office approved charges and drafted a warrant for two counts of identity theft, a Class 3 felony.
The deputy brought the warrant in front of a Lake County judge who listened to the facts surrounding the case.
The judge signed the arrest warrant and set bond at $350,000.
Gouveia was already in the custody of the Lake County Jail on the Libertyville charges.
He was served with the warrant and will appear in court on September 26.