LANCASTER PAIR ACCUSED OF STEALING IDENTITIES.

Byline: Associated Press

Two people suspected of operating a sophisticated counterfeiting scheme were equipped to steal the identities of hundreds of people, police said Friday.

Robert Newhouse, 39, and Cheri Ritter, 33, both of Lancaster, were arrested last week when they tried to purchase a cellular phone service using a forged credit application, said Bakersfield police Sgt. Kevin Stokes.

An investigation led detectives to a motel room where officers found computer equipment capable of making phony checks, driver licenses and other fake identification documents.

The pair raided trash bins outside Bakersfield-area businesses for credit reports and applications, which had enough information for identification cards and checks. They then obtained credit in their victims' names, investigators said.

Ritter was arrested Feb. 18 and Newhouse was taken into custody a day later. They were being held on $250,000 bail each.