Cops: Pair used fake IDs to buy $24K of iPhones in Westmoreland, elsewhere

A New York City man and woman are accused of using fraudulent identification cards to buy $24,000 worth of iPhones in Westmoreland and surrounding counties, according to state police.

Jose Miguel Jorge, 31, and Jessica K. Cocco, 41, allegedly used identification information for people living in Utah, Missouri and Minnesota to upgrade existing AT&T account information and buy phones at Walmart stores in the area, according to court papers.

They were arraigned last week and are free on $100,000 unsecured bond.

The spree started on Sept. 18 at a Walmart in Burrell Township, Indiana County. State police were notified by Walmart investigators two days later while the suspects allegedly continued to make fraudulent purchases at stores in the region.

Investigators got a break in the case on Sept. 23 when police responded to a Walmart in Washington County, where they found Jorge and Cocco attempting to upgrade a wireless account belonging to a South Carolina resident, according to troopers. Cocco was using an identification card bearing her photo but someone else’s name.

South Strabane police arrested them on theft, forgery, conspiracy and related charges in connection with 35 iPhones that were found in their car, troopers said. They posted $100,000 bail each and waived their rights to preliminary hearings last week, according to court records.

Similar charges filed in Westmoreland County are connected to 24 fraudulently obtained iPhones valued at more than $24,000, police said. Seven phones valued at $7,243 were obtained at Walmart stores in Westmoreland County, 10 phones valued at $10,000 were taken in Allegheny County stores and seven phones valued at $6,880 came from stores in Armstrong and Indiana counties.

Jorge and Cocco are charged with corrupt organizations, theft and receiving stolen property. Cocco faces additional counts of forgery and identity theft. Their attorneys could not be reached.

Preliminary hearings are set for Dec. 3.