Police in Hudson are investigating a burglary at the Department of Motor Vehicles office. It happened Monday with the office closed for the Martin Luther King Junior holiday. Police Chief Marty Jensen says there was no sign of a forced entry. Computer equipment and blank cards used for printing driver’s licenses and identification cards were stolen.
What can fake ID cards be used for? Jensen says, “Twenty years ago I would have said ‘to get into a bar.’ Nowadays with Homeland Security and voter IDs there are many, many things that you can use these IDs for.”
But while the thief — or thieves — got some of the equipment they need to print fake IDs, Jensen says they didn’t get everything they need. “That piece of equipment is crucial in making these ID cards. It’s gonna be very difficult for whoever took this machine and the printer to be able to make ID cards.”
And Jensen says the blank ID cards are already numbered so noone using them would be easily found out if they are run through a scanner. “So they’re gonna flag these cards as being bogus.”
Still, some of the fake ID cards and licenses could slip through because not every retailer, or bar, or even police department is equipped with scanning equipment.
The Department of Motor Vehicles is getting rid of driver’s license and ID card printing equipment at its regional offices. DMV officials say within weeks, you’ll have to wait for that ID card to be mailed to you regardless of which DMV office you visit.
AUDIO: Jeff Petersen, WIXK report :67