Excise searches Mexican restaurants, Lafayette banks

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana State Excise police raided a dozen businesses across Indiana Monday.

The raids were part of an investigation into a large identity theft ring. Officers served warrants in a number of communities, such as Lawrenceburg, Greenwood and Lafayette.

In Batesville, excise police took eight workers of the Acapulco restaurant in custody.

"State excise police officers are looking for evidence of corrupt business influence, money laundering, theft, forgery, and a number of other related charges," commented Corporal Travis Thickston with Indiana Excise Police.

From Lawrenceburg to Lafayette, Indiana state excise police are dismantling what they call one of the largest identify theft rings in the state.

"We have at least 108 people we know of that fraudulently used someone else's social security number or stolen social security number," said Thickston.

Those arrested talked to 24-Hour News 8 as they were taken into custody.

"All I know is I got my social security, that's it me. I don't know about the other guys,” said one suspect, Jose Rapadilla.

When asked if he was a legal resident of the United States, Rapadilla replied, “Maybe yes, maybe not, I’m not sure.”

The 18-month investigation was sparked after an agent noticed "irregularities" in the identification of one of the workers. Monday morning agents served warrants on 13 businesses including 5 Acapulco Mexican restaurants, four homes, and seven banks.

At last count, authorities had seized more than $1.6 million.

"I am nervous for my wife. My daughter, she is in school. I have to pick her up. We don’t have nobody here who can help me,” said suspect Jose Locano.

Most of the 108 people being sought as part of this investigation are employees, owners, or managers at the five restaurants. Excise police tell 24-Hour-News 8 that among the businesses being served is a tax preparation service in Greenwood.