Saeed Cousar, 42, who has 17 prior indictable and felony convictions, is facing 10 years in state prison.
SOMERVILLE - A Jersey City man was found guilty of identity theft Tuesday in a 2013 case in which he stole more than $74,000 from a Mendham man's bank account, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced in a news release on Wednesday.
Saeed Cousar (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)Saeed Cousar, 42, was found guilty of third-degree theft by deception and third-degree identity theft following a six day jury trial in Somerset County Superior Court before Judge Edward M. Coleman.
The jury deliberated three hours before returning with a guilty verdict.
The judge set June 16 as the sentencing date. Cousar is facing a 10-year sentence with five years served before being eligible for parole.
Assistant prosecution W. Brian Stack handled the case for the state.
The case was prosecuted in Somerset County because the victim's bank is located in Bedminster.
In July 2013, Cousar was arrested following an investigation by the Bedminster Township police and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Special Investigations Unit after the victim reported his identity and money has been stolen, the release stated.
The victim said his bank told him that more than $74,000 was missing from his account, according to authorities.
An investigation identified Cousar as a suspect through various records, including internet service provider, cellular telephone, bank, and utility records, police said.
The investigation revealed that Cousar used the victim's stolen identifying information to open fraudulent online banking and fraudulent checking accounts in the victim's name. He then transferred money from the victim's legitimate savings account to the fraudulent accounts he controlled, it was stated in the release.
In November, 2013, police executed a search warrant on Cousar's residence and discovered documents containing the personal identifying information of dozens of individuals.
Following his conviction, Cousar's bail was revoked, in part, because he has 17 prior indictable and felony convictions.
Robertson said the following law enforcement agencies assisted with the investigation: the Union County Prosecutor's Office; the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office; the Denville, Morris County Police Department; the Manchester Township, Ocean County Police Department, and the Jersey City Police Department.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.