De Soto Police have arrested a Middleton woman in connection with a ruse to steal a Jeep from Auto Plaza dealership in De Soto.
Kimberly Blechle, 29, has been charged with identity theft, a class B felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison
On Saturday, Jan. 23, a couple went to the Auto Plaza dealership at 12836 Hwy. 21 and allegedly filled out a contract using a stolen identity to purchase a 2009 Jeep Wrangler valued at $25,000, De Soto Police Chief Rick Draper said.
Police were called to the dealership on Monday (Jan. 25) after the person whose identity was stolen learned about the purchase, Draper said.
“The credit company called him, and he alerted Auto Plaza,” Draper said.
De Soto police identified both the man and the woman, worked with the Chesterfield Police Department to recover the vehicle and returned it to Auto Plaza that same day.
“Neither the male or female were on the scene when the vehicle was recovered,” Draper said.
Blechle was picked up Thursday afternoon (Jan. 28) at her home in Washington County.
She was scheduled to be transferred today (Jan. 29) to the Jefferson County Jail. A $15,000 bond was set in the case.
A man wanted for questioning in connection with the incident is still at large, Draper said.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to call the De Soto Police Department at (636) 586-8891.