Man accused of using stolen identities to buy cars statewide, extradited to Berwick

Scott Yoshonis
·1 min read

BERWICK, La. (KLFY) — A man was extradited to Berwick from Tangipahoa Parish after being accused of buying cars with stolen identities, authorities said.

Malik Merrick, 26, of Kentwood, was arrested at 10:16 a.m. Thursday on warrants alleging theft of a motor vehicle, access device fraud, bank fraud, possession of fraudulent documents for identification purposes, forgery and forgery of certificate of insurance card.

In August, the Berwick Police Department received a complaint from a victim in Texas who said their identity had been stolen and used to purchase a vehicle from a dealership in Berwick in June. In the course of the investigation, it was learned that a subject went to a local dealership using the victim’s identity and was able to purchase an $80,000 vehicle, officials said.

Police said the subject later identified as Merrick was part of a scheme in which several vehicles were purchased fraudulently throughout the state. With the assistance of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Lafayette Police Department and Louisiana State Police, investigators identified Merrick as a suspect.

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Investigators said evidence was obtained linking Merrick to the crime that took place in Berwick, and warrants were issued for his arrest. On Feb. 20, Merrick was located and arrested in Hammond.

On Thursday, officers with the Berwick Police Department traveled to the Tangipahoa Parish Jail and located Merrick. He was transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked and remains incarcerated awaiting bond.

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