SAN ANTONIO — William Richard Holliday, 54, was arrested after using another man’s forwarded mail to steal his identity and open 66 fraudulent accounts, police said.
Holliday used the victim’s identity to live rent-free in an apartment, purchase a Mercedes-Benz, and make credit card purchases for groceries and other items, according to Officer Nick Soliz of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD).
The 65-year-old victim discovered the fraud after debt collectors began contacting him about unpaid bills.
The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office initiated the investigation before contacting SAPD when they realized the suspect may have been residing in San Antonio. Detectives traced Holliday to an apartment complex, where management confirmed that someone using the victim’s name lived there, leading them to suspect foul play.
A week prior to his arrest, Holliday was pulled over during a traffic stop and was found to be driving a 2021 Mercedes-Benz registered in the victim’s name. Investigators later discovered that Holliday had used a fake driver’s license with the victim’s name to purchase the car.
The investigation further revealed that Holliday had been using the victim’s credit cards, and when arrested, he had just used one at a local grocery store.
Holliday now faces multiple charges, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, credit card abuse, fraud, and tampering with a government record. Authorities urge the public to ensure their mail is not forwarded without their knowledge.