FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Five people were arrested Wednesday on various charges related to an alleged identity-theft ring, thanks to a quick-thinking off-duty Larimer County Sheriff's Office investigator.

Steve Holloway was shopping while off work at the Super Wal-Mart in Fort Collins and recognized a woman who was on probation for forgery and criminal impersonation. Holloway also noted that Mary Elizabeth Lozano, 32, was writing a check that belonged to another person, police said.

Holloway relayed the information to deputies who stopped the vehicle that Lozano left the store in.

Lozano was arrested on charges of forgery, criminal impersonation, and two counts of misdemeanor theft.

Officers discovered the driver of the car, Dawn Payton, 26, had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a controlled substance charge. Another occupant of the vehicle, James Douglas, 51, was arrested on charges of criminal possession of forged instruments.

Based on information obtained following the arrest of Lozano, deputies executed a search warrant at a Fort Collins motel and found what they said was additional stolen property.

Arnulfo Lozano, 42, was arrested in the motel room on outstanding warrants for failure to appear on charges of theft of rental property and driving while suspended, revoked or denied.

The sheriff's office said the investigation into the case is continuing and there may be other associates involved in the identity theft activity.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.