Accused ‘mule’ for ID theft ring nabbed by Port Authority police at GWB after shopping sprees

CVP EXCLUSIVE: A Bronx man who investigators said worked as a “mule” for an ID theft ring was arrested by Port Authority police at the George Washington Bridge after buying iPads, iPhone and other pricey electronics with credit cards in unsuspecting victims’ names at the Walmart in North Bergen.

Photo Credit: *Cliffview Pilot File Photo*

Jerry DeMarco

03/29/2015 6:31 p.m.

Paul J. Cole, 33, was charged with fraudulent use of credit cards, driving with a revoked license and unsworn falsification after Port Authority officers nabbed him Friday afternoon, the authority’s Joseph Pentangelo told CLIFFVIEW PILOT this afternoon.

Cole, who has two previous felony convictions for ID theft, was carrying bogus driver’s licenses from Ohio and New York, at least two phony credit cards he obtained using those licenses and other identifying information for potential victims in Florida, authorities said.

Authority detectives were working with their counterparts from North Bergen and from Morris County, where sources told CLIFFVIEW PILOT it’s believed Cole did the same thing at the Rockaway Mall.

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