Tampa, FL – A months-long investigation into an alleged identity theft and jewelry fraud scheme has resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old man accused of obtaining more than $20,000 worth of jewelry from two Brandon-area stores using stolen personal information.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged crimes occurred on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, when investigators say Wallace Lake entered a Jared Jewelers on West Brandon Boulevard and a Kay Jewelers location at the Brandon Exchange. Detectives allege he used stolen personal identification information to purchase and leave with more than $20,000 in jewelry.
Authorities said detectives later identified Lake as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest on multiple charges, including two counts of grand theft in the third degree, two counts of fraudulent use of personal identification, obtaining property by false pretenses between $1,000 and less than $20,000, fraudulent use of credit cards, and fraud by impersonation.
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation led detectives to Mount Vernon, New York, where they coordinated with law enforcement in Westchester County. Lake was taken into custody on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
“Stolen identities and stolen jewelry might cross state lines, but justice doesn’t stop at the county line,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Our detectives will chase these cases as far as they need to go to hold criminals accountable and protect our residents.”
The allegations remain accusations, and the charges have not been proven in court.
