Police: Mastic man used fake papers to get benefits

A Mastic man has been arrested on felony charges of welfare fraud and identity theft after investigators said he used false documents to obtain more than $4,000 in social service benefits and to attempt to get a driver's license in another name, State Police said Friday.

Antonio Rivera, 47, inadvertently alerted Department of Motor Vehicles investigators after he tried to get a driver's license in a friend's name, police said. An investigation also disclosed that Rivera allegedly had obtained other motor vehicle documents in the assumed name and also had received the social service benefits, according to police.

Rivera is charged with welfare fraud, identity theft and offering a false instrument for filing. Arraignment information was not immediately available.