Man Arrested for ID Theft, Evidence Recovered for 200 Potential Victims
Photo: Levell F. Simmons
BERKELEY— Police arrested a man suspected of committing numerous identity theft crimes. The suspect was found in possession of checkbooks, tax forms, mail and other types of personal identification information. Paperwork for more than 200 potential victims was recovered as evidence.
Levell F. Simmons, a 30-year-old resident of Berkeley, was detained near the intersection of University Avenue and 8th Street. Simmons was a passenger inside a U-Haul truck pulled over for an equipment code violation. The truck was stopped at 12:42 a.m. on February 25.
The driver had no license, and a subsequent search of the truck turned up personal information belonging to other people. Officers also found other stolen property inside the truck.
Simmons was arrested on suspicion of intent to defraud, identity theft and receiving stolen property. He was transported to Santa Rita Jail, where he remains in custody in lieu of $135,000 bond.
On February 27, Simmons was charged with fraudulent possession of personal information belonging to 10 victims. He is scheduled to appear in court for a plea hearing on March 13.
Simmons is no stranger to law enforcement. He has a total of 28 arrests and several convictions on his record. His most recent release from jail was in June 2018.
Simmons was previously convicted for identity theft, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property. His other prior arrests were mostly for drug-related offenses and thefts.
