VALLEY CENTER - A patrol deputy arrested a North County man Friday on suspicion of identity theft after catching him with a briefcase of other people's checks and driver's licenses, authorities said.

Deputy Alvin Vasquez was investigating a residential burglary in Valley Center when another resident of the neighborhood, 44-year-old Mark Allen Sloop, showed up, sheriff's public information officer Chris Saunders said.

Suspicious, Vasquez ran a check and discovered two outstanding felony arrest warrants in Sloop's name.

A subsequent search of Sloop's home turned up the collection of personal documents in other people's names, along with tools apparently used to doctor ID cards.

Sheriff's financial-crimes Detective Daniel Pearce joined in the investigation and concluded that it could involve as many as 40 victims.

The suspect was booked into Vista Jail and held without bail pending arraignment, Saunders said.

"Pearce will be attempting to identify and contact the victims, most of whom probably don't know their licenses, checks or IDs were being used," he said.