Probe into World Gym auto break-ins cracks bigger case

An Alabama man has been charged by Peachtree City Police with 20 counts of financial identity fraud. A search of the man’s vehicles revealed personal information on more than 600 people in five states.

Patrick N. Daniel, 36, of Birmingham. Ala., was charged last week with 20 counts of financial identity fraud, according to Fayette County Jail records.

Peachtree City Police Investigator Tim Pierson on Monday said Daniel was initially a suspect in two entering auto incidents at World Gym at Lexington Village on Sept. 16. Other entering auto incidents were attempted on Sept. 28, though Daniel was apparently scared away by others present in the area who alerted police, Pierson said.

Daniel’s vehicle was stopped a short distance away where he was taken into custody and charged, Pierson said.

A search warrant executed for Daniel’s vehicle resulted in “a ton of identity-related items found,” said Pierson.

Pierson said the search revealed identity information such as the names and dates of birth belonging to 622 people mainly from Montgomery, Alabama, but also from Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi and California.

Of those, the search revealed 60 pieces of paper with copies of Social Security cards and drivers licenses, Pierson said.

While Daniel was charged with 20 counts of financial identity fraud, Pierson said other charges are pending.

Pierson said Daniel was denied bail.