Investigators said Delaware woman identified through video review
A Delaware woman is facing felony charges after police say she tried to pass herself off as her twin sister during a Montgomery Township traffic stop — a move that unraveled once investigators took a closer look.
Brianna N. Barnes, 24, of the 30th block of Mayapple Lane, Magnolia, DE, was charged with felony identity theft and misdemeanor false identification to law enforcement following a Jan. 11, 2026 traffic stop along Welsh Road, according to court documents.
According to the affidavit, an officer stopped a gray Nissan Altima with dark tinted windows and inoperable brake lights around 2:46 p.m. During the stop, Barnes allegedly told police she did not have her driver’s license and instead provided identifying information for her sister, Paula Barnes.
The situation took a turn when district court staff were later contacted by Paula Barnes, who reported that she — not her sister — had been listed as the driver during the stop. When interviewed, Paula Barnes told investigators she was not present and noted that her sister had used her identity multiple times in the past, according to police.
Police said a review of body camera footage and further investigation confirmed that Brianna Barnes was the actual driver.
Authorities allege Barnes knowingly used her sister’s identity to avoid consequences during the traffic stop, leading to the identity theft charge.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records and information provided by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office
