A 61-year-old Portland woman is in Cumberland County Jail charged with aggravated forgery for allegedly stealing the identity of her older sister, who is now dead.

Portland police arrested Elizabeth Hersey of 39 Munjoy South and charged her with nine counts of aggravated forgery, saying that in 2005 she obtained a driver's license under the name of her sister, Adelaide Plourde. At the time, Plourde was in a Bangor nursing home, an invalid following a serious stroke.

Police say Hersey had an extensive history of driving violations as well as criminal charges. She used her sister's identity when she was pulled over and when she was arrested to avoid more serious penalties.

Twice, Hersey was arrested for theft and claimed to be sister, pleaded guilty to misdemeanors and paid fines, police said. Because of her past criminal history, Hersey's theft arrests would have been felonies and involved more serious penalties had police known her true identity.

Police say a tip led them, along with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, to investigate Hersey. Comparing the driver's license photos and the physical characteristics of the two, plus the reality that Plourde could not drive, showed that Hersey had taken her sister's identity, police said.

Hersey, who was arrested Tuesday, is being held on $5,000 bail at Cumberland County Jail.

As far as police know, Hersey has not used her sister's identity since Plourde died April 5 at the age of 63.

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