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Deputies: Men carrying suitcase full of stolen IDs busted

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County deputies arrested two men who they said were carrying a suitcase full of driver's licenses from across the country.

The bust happened at Marketplace at Seminole Towne Center.

The men were in a stolen car when a deputy noticed them, officers said.

The only reason he did is because he was checking tags near the parking lot to spot stolen vehicles, authorities said.

The deputy then decided to follow the men, and authorities said that's when the men were caught in the act.

Timika Harrell said her identity has been stolen in the past.

"It's Christmas time. People are out trying to get their families stuff and for someone to go in and be so sneaky to do something like that, it's crazy," said Harrell.

Investigators said the duo is from south Florida, which is where they allegedly stole the rental car.

Dion Gibson tried to use one of the stolen IDs at a Sanford AT&T store to buy thousands of dollars of phones and iPads, but the manger noticed something fishy, officers said.

Gibson was using a New York license to open a line of credit on a Georgia account, authorities said.

Police said Gibson tried to make a run for it, but they arrested him before he left the parking lot.

When investigators searched the car, they found the stolen IDs. Each one had a different name and address but the same picture -- a photo of Gregory Simeon, who was also arrested.

Investigators believe the men were using the phony IDs to steal electronics and sell them on the black market.

It's still not clear how they got them or if they were planning on stealing more in central Florida.

Harrell said she is glad they were caught before Christmas.

"Doing a little Christmas shopping for themselves, but that's crazy," she said.

Investigators said the arrest is part of a major undercover operation.