WALLINGFORD - Police have arrested two men for allegedly trying to buy a car with the stolen identity of an 87-year-old Meriden man.

Ronald Heath, 43, of 405 Kensington Ave. in Meriden, was arrested at his residence Monday. Michael Capasso, 21, of 3 Salem St. Northford, turned himself into Wallingford Police Thursday. Both men face charges of first degree identity theft and conspiracy to commit first degree identity theft.

According to police, Capasso, a salesman at Barberino Brothers Pontiac/Nissan in Wallingford, conspired with Heath to purchase a vehicle at the dealership using the name of an 87-year-old resident of a Meriden nursing home. Police did not identify the man, but said he is related to Heath.

Heath and Capasso allegedly submitted a credit application in the man's name, which aroused the suspicion of an employee at a credit agency in Cheshire due to the applicant's age, the fact that the address was listed as a nursing home and that there was no co-signer on it.

The employee notified Wallingford police, who investigated.

First degree identity theft is a class B felony and is punishable by between one and 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000.

Both Heath and Capasso have been released on $50,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court next Friday, police said.

Barberino Brothers Pontiac/Nissan had no comment Friday.