Manager of Coralville Hotel identified as Identity Theft suspect

Hunter/Lang
7/11/19

Officials have released more details in Tuesday’s arrest in Coralville involving multiple identity theft incidents.

Coralville Police executed a search warrant on a room at the Baymont Inn & Suites on 6th Street just before 11:15 Tuesday morning. The warrant was based on information received from the Stevens Point, Wisconsin police department indicating stolen property would be found at the Baymont.

30-year-old Dharmesh Patel of Iowa City was taken into custody at the scene.  He is owner and operating manager of that hotel.

Police indicate that Patel used a combination of stolen credit information and identity information from guests at a Stevens Point hotel that he previously managed. He allegedly used that information to open fraudulent bank accounts and purchase items for the Baymont property.

Police removed nearly 100 55-inch TVs, bath towels, pillows, bedding, a pool vacuum, 3 industrial washers and dryers, air conditioner units, and hand sanitizer dispensers. They also seized documents and computers from the site.

In total, Patel is accused of purchasing nearly $150,000 in equipment and supplies using the stolen information.

KCRG TV reports that Patel posted a $15,000 cash bond, but is still being held at the Johnson County Jail because his bond was revoked in Stevens Point.

Authorities continue their investigation.