Multi-State Identity Theft Spree Tied to Illinois Man
LAKEVILLE and EAGAN, MINNESOTA - Eagan and Lakeville Police and the authorities in Illinois have linked Jason Trini Siegert, 55, of Chicago Heights, to a series of identity theft crimes involving tens of thousands of dollars stolen from multiple victims across state lines.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office in Dakota County, Minnesota, Siegert has been charged with felony identity theft for allegedly trying to withdraw $8,000 from a victim’s bank account using fraudulent identification. The incident occurred on August 22, 2024, at a bank in Eagan, Minnesota. Investigators say Siegert attempted to withdraw additional funds from a Farmington branch but was denied after bank staff became suspicious.
Investigators with the Eagan Police Department reviewed bank surveillance footage and determined that the suspect used a Minnesota identification card featuring the victim’s details but with a different photograph, according to the criminal complaint. Court records go on to say that detailed phone call records and location data further corroborated the fraudulent transaction and Siegert’s presence in the area from his mobile phone. Officers noted that he had traveled to Minnesota on the day of the offense and left shortly after.
Further investigation tied Siegert to a similar case in Lakeville, Minnesota, and a more extensive identity theft operation in Illinois. An article from Southwest Regional Publishing reported that Siegert stole more than $45,000 in fraudulent withdrawals from Old National Bank branches in Buffalo Grove, Oswego, and Aurora, with additional attempted withdrawals in Frankfort and Schaumburg.
According to Southwest Regional Publishing, Palos Heights police launched an investigation after two residents reported unauthorized transactions totaling $15,000 from their bank accounts in September 2024. Sgt. John Parnitzke of the Palos Heights Police Department stated that Siegert’s crimes met the criteria for aggravated identity theft due to the victims being over 60 years old and the total losses exceeding $10,000. It was reported that a distinctive flannel shirt the suspect wore in multiple surveillance videos proved to be a key identifier. Police compared bank footage with Siegert’s Illinois driver’s license photo and body-worn camera footage from other law enforcement agencies, which confirmed his identity through visible tattoos.
Siegert was arrested and later released after appearing in court on October 17, 2024, in Illinois. He allegedly provided post-Miranda statements, admitting to his role in the crimes during an interview with Palos Heights police on October 15 in the Southwest Regional reports.
Court documents show that Siegert faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and fines ranging from $6,000 to $20,000 related to his charges in Dakota County, Minnesota, in addition to his legal issues in Illinois. On March 18, 2025, Siergert had his first court appearance for the Dakota County charges, where is bail was set at $40,000 without conditions and $30,000 with conditions. As of writing this article, Siegert has not hosted bail and remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail in Hastings, Minnesota. His next court date is set for May 7, 2025.
This article provides an overview of the allegations against Siegert, detailing the charges, evidence, and potential legal outcomes. The community is reminded that charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will depend on the progress of the legal proceedings.
We will provide additional updates as the legal process continues.
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
