Officers with the Benton Police Department recently arrested a suspect, Kent W. Kramer (W/M, 45 YOA), for numerous identity theft related charges.

    Officers conducted a traffic stop on Mr. Kramer on 1/2/11, at approximately 7:50 PM.  During the course of the stop officers found a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine in Mr. Kramer’s vehicle.  Also found in Mr. Kramer’s possession were seven credit cards not belonging to Kramer, eleven stolen driver licenses, a forged USAA insurance member card, and a stolen Veterans of Foreign Wars member card.  It was determined that Kramer had used the forged credit cards numerous times and the exact monetary amount is still being determined. 

    Kramer was charged with Impeding the Flow of Traffic, Driving on a Suspended Driver’s License, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Use of a Driver’s License, Forgery 1st Degree (B-Felony), nine counts of Financial Identity Fraud (C-Felony), Criminal Impersonation 2nd Degree, and Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property.  In addition to these charges Kramer also had warrants for failure to appear out of Benton and Saline County.  He is currently incarcerated at the Saline County Detention Facility on these charges. 

    Anyone with information relating to this incident is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS.