Police think the crimes have been happening for at least 2 years

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicles Services worker and her boyfriend have been indicted in an alleged scheme to steal from dozens of cars in the metro area over at least two years using driver’s license information.

According to an indictment from the Multnomah County Circuit Court, 37-year-old Valerie Applegate of Happy Valley is facing 52 counts of misconduct, identity theft, computer crime, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. She is also accused of accepting bribes to provide driver’s licenses to people.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the state Department of Transportation says Applegate has worked since June 2010 at the agency’s Mall 205 outlet in Portland. She’s been on paid administrative leave since April 26.

Police say Applegate is suspected of looking up driver information on cars for boyfriend Israel Fonseca. Police say Fonseca is suspected of using the information to follow cars from a driver’s home, break in and drive them away.

Police say the cars would be stripped and stolen items would be sold.

Fonseca is facing more than two dozen charges, including theft and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

It wasn’t known if the two have lawyers.

KOIN 6 contributed to this report.