A Washington, D.C., woman was arrested in Rehoboth Beach after police said she used stolen credit cards to attempt to rent a hotel room and checked in under a false name.
The incident began March 14, 2026, at about 5:48 p.m., when the Rehoboth Beach Police Department received a report of possible identity theft actively occurring within city limits. Officers responded to the area of Christian Street, where investigators said the suspect had attempted to use one victim’s credit card to rent a room.
Officers responded to the area of Christian Street where the defendant, later identified as Shataya R. Kennedy, age 43, of Washington DC, had attempted to use the victim’s credit card to rent a room. As a result of their investigation, officers were able to determine that Kennedy had been able to rent a room using a second victim’s credit card. She had checked in under the false name Monique Carter.
Officers made contact with the suspect in the room, where police said she again identified herself as Carter. Investigators later determined her true identity as 43-year-old Shataya R. Kennedy of Washington, D.C. Police also discovered Kennedy had active warrants in three other states.
Kennedy was taken into custody without incident and charged with identity theft, unlawful use of a credit card, falsifying business records, criminal impersonation, theft of services, and fugitive from another state.
She was committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in lieu of $8,000 secured bond.
