Tips peg possible
ID theft suspect

A woman sought by police allegedly
stole $24,000 from a teacher's account

Honolulu police have tentatively identified a suspect who allegedly stole $24,000 this summer from a Windward kindergarten teacher.

Deborah Nunes, 36, was identified through a number of CrimeStoppers tips called in after the Star-Bulletin and television stations ran a photo from a fake Hawaii driver's license that was used to try to steal money from Aikahi teacher Sherri Denis in June.

Nunes, also known as Debra Jo Zeferjohn Nunes, is wanted for questioning in the case as well as for outstanding traffic warrants.

Employees at the American Savings Bank branch in the Stadium Mall Sack 'N Save confiscated the fake ID from a female suspect on June 2 when she allegedly tried to represent herself as Denis to withdraw about $3,000 from her account, according to police.

Though bank employees stopped her from withdrawing money at that time, it was later discovered that a total of $24,000 had already been stolen from the account, police said. Bank insurance has since covered Denis and her husband's loss.

Nunes is described as 5 feet 1 inch tall, about 160 pounds, with a heavy build, blond hair and hazel eyes. Police said her last known address was in Waianae, where she was seen yesterday.

Anyone with information about Nunes' whereabouts is asked to call financial fraud Detective Jon Nakashima at 529-3388. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.