Laurel man, 24, is indicted in identity theft of his colleagues

A 24-year-old Laurel man was indicted this week on charges related to the alleged identity theft of 10 people, many of who worked at Arbitron Inc. in Columbia.

A Howard County grand jury returned an 18-count indictment Wednesday against Mobolaji Olanite of the 300 block of Thomas Drive. The indictment charges him with fraud, theft and forgery, as well as the alleged assault on the Howard County police officer who confronted him at the 1st Mariner Bank in Ellicott City after bank officials reported a possible fraud March 12.

Authorities found documents containing at least three people's names in Olanite's car, according to charging documents. Other names and Social Security numbers, as well as bank statements, a bank check and other items were found during a search of his home, according to charging documents.

The names of several employees of Arbitron, where Olanite worked as a security contractor, were among those found, according to the documents.

Authorities believe that Olanite opened at least one bank account using another person's identification and used a blank counter check after opening one account, according to the documents. He was trying to open a bank account at the 1st Mariner branch using a different name when he was arrested, according to the documents.

Olanite is free on $25,000 bond.