CLARION TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A woman is facing identity theft and related charges after giving police a false name during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 last weekend.
Court documents indicate the Clarion-based State Police filed criminal charges against 30-year-old Whitney Nicole Allen, of Springfield, MA.
According to a criminal complaint, around 9:47 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, Trooper Allison was traveling westbound on I-80 near mile marker 66.4 when he witnessed a black Honda Odyssey van with Massachusetts plates traveling with hazard lights on and a blown left rear tire.
Trooper Allison initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle pulled onto the north berm.
Trooper Allison noted that as he approached the front passenger window of the vehicle, he could smell a very strong scent of marijuana coming from the vehicle. He also noticed what appeared to be loose marijuana on the front passenger side floor of the vehicle, the complaint states.
The female driver of the vehicle was the only occupant, and she stated that she did not have any identification.
Based on the smell of marijuana, the woman was removed from the vehicle for the purpose of a probable cause search.
According to the complaint, prior to the search, Trooper Allison attempted to identify the driver. The driver provided the name of a known individual, and Trooper Allison reminded her that false identification to law enforcement is a misdemeanor offense, but the driver insisted she gave him the correct identifying information.
A search of the vehicle was performed, and the identification for Whitney Nicole Allen was discovered in the driver’s side door. The photo on the discovered identification matched the driver of the vehicle.
Allen was then taken into custody and transported to PSP Clarion for the purpose of further identification.
For safety concerns, the vehicle was seized and towed from the berm of I-80 and impounded at PSP Clarion and a search warrant was applied for.
Allen was arraigned at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, May 28, on the following charges:
– Identity Theft, Misdemeanor 1
– False Identification To Law Enforcement Officer, Misdemeanor 3
– Driving W/O A License, Summary
Unable to post $10,000.00 monetary bail, she was lodged in the Clarion County Jail.
S was released on a surety posted by a professional bondsman on Thursday, May 31.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, with Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn presiding.
