CT woman charged in New York for allegedly stealing victim’s identity, making over 200 unauthorized transactions

A Plainfield woman was arrested on several charges in an identity theft investigation in New York, according to the New York State Police.

Ashley Vanbenschoten, 34, of Plainfield was arrested on an active warrant by the New York State Police in Cobleskill, New York. She was charged with two counts of first-degree identity theft, two counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny.

Charges stem from a complaint that troopers received on May 14, 2022, alleging that a credit card had been opened in a victim’s name without their knowledge or permission, state police said.

Investigations into the complaint determined that Vanbenschoten had applied for and obtained a credit card in the victim’s name, withdrew money from the victim’s bank account “without permission on multiple occasions” and used the victim’s credit card without authorization several times, state police said. She also allegedly opened a utility account in the victim’s name.

In total, Vanbenschoten allegedly made over 200 unauthorized transactions, resulting in a loss of over $7,500.

Vanvenschoten turned herself in to the state police on Thursday and was arraigned at Cobleskill Town Court She was released under the supervision of the Schoharie County Probation Department, state police said.