Authorities yesterday charged a convicted felon who allegedly stole the identities of seven people, bought nearly $2,000 worth of merchandise with their money and assaulted one of the victims.

Elizabeth Malia Aila, 41, was charged with second-degree theft, two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, and three counts of unauthorized control of personal identification. Aila, who has six prior criminal convictions including two for theft and one for felony burglary, was arrested Friday at the Waikele Premium Outlets.

Police were called that day after a shopper, Nicole Carvalho, reported her purse stolen at the Nine West store in the outlet mall, according to a document filed in Circuit Court.

Carvalho called her credit card companies to cancel her cards and learned that one of her cards had been used at the Samsonite Store to purchase a set of suitcases.

Carvalho and her boyfriend went to the Samsonite Store and were told by the clerk that a woman had tried to use Carvalho's card, but it was declined.

The clerk said the woman handed him another card bearing the name of Carvalho's grandfather, Charles Carvalho, in order to compete the transaction, according to court documents.

Nicole Carvalho and her boyfriend, Michael Silberfeld, began searching the area until Silberfeld saw Aila and confronted her.

Aila attempted to flee, but Silberfeld blocked her and grabbed her arm. Aila turned and punched Silberfeld but was subdued by Silberfeld and another man standing nearby, according to court documents.

While waiting for police, Silberfeld opened the suitcase Aila was carrying.

Inside he found an empty purse, a black Coach wallet, a Sony digital camera, a checkbook belonging to a married couple, a Texas driver's license belonging to another man, a U.S. military dependent identification card and several credit cards.

Also found was a Hawai'i driver's license, a Social Security card and a Macy's credit card.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.