KIRO-TV said that the couple used South Sound teens to steal as much as $1 million from more than 100 bank and credit union customers.

Some of the teens sold their parents’ checking account numbers to the ring. Those parents lost as much as $20,000.

The News Tribune of Tacoma said investigators believe the ring has been operating since 2002, and is among the most sophisticated they have seen, said deputy prosecuting attorney Lisa Wagner.

"They were generating false checks and ID cards," Wagner said Wednesday. "They had to have knowledge of the banking system and how to create checks,” reported the News Tribune.

On Monday, the man was charged with two counts of identity theft, nine counts of first-degree theft and two counts of possession of a firearm.

The News Tribune said the man’s girlfriend was charged with two counts of first-degree theft.

Both have pleaded not guilty.

The News Tribune reported that detective Glenda Nissen said charges against three others are pending and another four to six people may face charges.