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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — “Bogus.”

That is how Ernest Earl Stonebraker Jr. described identity theft charges against himself and wife Theresa to reporters as the pair were led away from their arraignment on Monday.

Investigators say the charges are anything but, and that the Berwick couple racked up more than $2,000 on a PNC credit card in someone else’s name, with investigation into other potential cases ongoing.

Instead of celebrating Ernest’s 31st birthday with friends and family, the couple were escorted from District Judge Michael G. Dotzel’s office to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for their alleged crimes.

Police say he and Theresa, 39, went on a three-day spending spree at various stores, as well as making large cash withdrawls between April 22 and April 24, according to court documents.

Authorities were alerted to the scheme by the woman whose name was used to open the credit card after she received a bank statement listing the charges and withdrawls, court records indicate.

Salem Township Police say they have evidence from several stores where the Stonebrakers used the fraudulent card, including video from a Sunoco Gas Station in Millville.

Authorities allege the couple racked up $2,355.91 in debt.

The Stonebrakers handcuffed as they were escorted into their preliminary arraignment in front of Dotzel on Monday afternoon. While Dotzel read off the alleged charges and the maximum penalty for each charge, husband and wife both cried uncontrollably.

Before setting bail, Dotzel asked the Stonebrakers a few questions in regards to their residence and occupations.

Theresa told Dotzel that she has an 18-year old disabled daughter at home, saying “she has nobody but me.” When asked if she is employed, she told Dotzel that she had a job interview set for Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

The couple also admitted to Dotzel that they both have West Virginia roots.

Salem Township police said they executed a search warrant Monday morning at the Stonebrakers’ residence that netted 26 credit cards and gift cards with other people’s names on them.

Police raised concerns about the couple posing a flight risk, adding that the investigation is ongoing. Dotzel set bail at $2,500 each.

The pair were arraigned on 15 felony counts of identity theft, a theft by unlawful taking charge and an access device fraud charge.

A preliminary hearing was set for 11 a.m. May 28 in Luzerne County Central Court.

Ernest Earl Stonebraker Jr., left, and wife Theresa are seen being led away from their arraignment on identity theft charges Monday afternoon in Wilkes-Barre Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/web1_TTL052119perps1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgErnest Earl Stonebraker Jr., left, and wife Theresa are seen being led away from their arraignment on identity theft charges Monday afternoon in Wilkes-Barre Township. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Dan Stokes and Ed Lewis

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Reach Dan Stokes or Ed Lewis at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes @hawks73