PROVIDENCE, R.I.–An employee of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation—who allegedly drove to the credit union in a state vehicle–has been accused of stealing a prisoner’s identity to get a $51,000 car loan. 

The name of the arrested suspect was not released by the Rhode Island State Police, which said onlly that the suspect is 45 years old and works as an engineer tech II for RIDOT.

The funds were allegedly used to purchase a Mercedes Benz, with the check, from Westerly Community CU made out to a Georgia car dealer for the 2019 vehicle.

The loan was applied for online by the suspect, who was also allegedly seeking to open checking and savings accounts, according to the Providence Journal.

“The man is charged with identity fraud, making false statement to obtain a loan, passing fraudulent checks over $1,500 and obtaining money under false pretenses,” the Journal reported.

Proof of ID Provided

The applicant provided a Rhode Island driver’s license, a pay stub, the bill of sale and title for a vehicle, insurance documents and other information, state police told the Providence Journal.

According to police, the suspect, who was allelgedly driving a RIDOT vehicle, entered the credit union’s Coventry branch in January 2025 and deposited a check in the amount of $5,265.

“The check was found to be fraudulent, and the credit union contacted state police financial crimes investigators in February, police say,” the Journal reported. “Video surveillance showed that the suspect had driven to the credit union in a vehicle with DOT markings, police say.”

Imprisoned for Last Six Years

The Journal further reported that investigators allege that all of the documents provided to open the accounts were fraudulent, and that the name that the suspect provided was someone who had been imprisoned at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston, R.I. since 2019.