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NY fugitive faces ID theft charges

Two Monroe County residents are facing charges and have been jailed.

Pocono Mountain Regional police identified the two suspects as Anthony Mitchell, 45, and Lisa Santiago, 43, both of 5162 Renaissance Lane, Pocono Farms East, Coolbaugh Township.According to PMRP on March 5 they received a contact from New York State Police concerning a fugitive warrant for Mitchell. Mitchell is on parole in New York for an armed carjacking that he committed in 2001. He served nine years in a New York prison and then was released on parole. He failed to attend a parole meeting on Sept. 16, 2014, and a warrant was issued for his arrest as a fugitive from justice. Mitchell was also charged by New York authorities with identity theft and related charges.During the investigation it was revealed that Mitchell had assumed the identity of Rodney Vernon Washington. Mitchell obtained a Pennsylvania driver's license and purchased a vehicle in the name of Washington, registering the Tobyhanna address.The investigation further revealed that he was living at that location with Santiago. New York officials said the "real Rodney Washington" resided in Brooklyn, and does not possess a driver's license or own a vehicle. The investigation also revealed that Mitchell took out a loan for the vehicle in the name of Rodney Washington.On March 5 police located Mitchell and Santiago and took them into custody near their home. When arrested, Santiago identified Mitchell as Rodney Washington. When arrested Mitchell had a state driver's license in the name of Rodney Vernon Washington. He also had in his possession several credit cards, a debit card and a Social Security card, all in the name of Washington.Mitchell initially identified himself as Rodney Washington but later admitted he was Anthony Mitchell. As part of the investigation PMRP obtained a search warrant for the residence and located additional evidence of the flight to avoid apprehension, hindering apprehension, and identity theft. Police also located a quantity of cocaine and drug paraphernalia in the home.Mitchell was arrested on the fugitive warrant and additional charges of flight to avoid apprehension, forgery, criminal conspiracy, all felonies, and tampering with records or identification, access device fraud, identity theft and false identification to law enforcement, all misdemeanors.Santiago was charged with criminal conspiracy, hindering apprehension-harboring a fugitive, both felonies, and obstructing administration of law or government function, a misdemeanor.Both were arraigned before a district judge. Mitchell was committed to the county prison in Snydersville on the fugitive warrant with no bail set while Santiago was committed to the prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.Police added that additional charges of possession of a controlled substance-cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia are pending against both defendants.PMRP added that New York officials will move to extradite Mitchell.