BRANDON — Deputies arrested two men Tuesday after a motel worker discovered a plastic bag filled with hundreds of stolen driver's licenses, credit cards, Social Security cards and passports in what officials said may be the tip of an even bigger operation.
Gefery Pierre, 30, of North Miami was renting a room at the Brandon Motor Lodge, 906 E Brandon Blvd., but had done so using his brother's name and personal information, deputies said.
Pierre did not have his brother's consent to do so and was found in possession of keys to two stolen vehicles, one of which had been reported missing by a rental car company at Tampa International Airport, officials said.
The plastic bag, discovered inside Pierre's room, contained identifying documents of at least 38 different people.
The motel employee contacted authorities, who found that several of the driver's licenses had been reported stolen and some of the credit cards had been used to conduct fraudulent transactions.
Pierre was arrested and charged with marijuana possession, driving with a revoked license, fraudulent use of personal information and two counts of grand theft auto.
Branden Jones, 26, who had been traveling with Pierre, also was arrested Tuesday night.
Jones, also of North Miami, was charged with petit theft and obstruction of justice after he resisted officers, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman Larry McKinnon said.
Police believe these two men are a part of a bigger operation, McKinnon said, noting, "this is just the beginning."
An investigation is ongoing.
Marissa Lang can be reached at mlang@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8804.
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