URGENT UPDATE: A Carpinteria man, 27, and a Port Hueneme woman, 26, have been arrested for felony identity theft targeting a Mira Monte woman. The suspects pleaded not guilty in state court earlier today, following their arrest on November 29, 2023, by deputies in Newbury Park.
Authorities from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced that the arrests stemmed from a series of unauthorized credit card transactions after the victim’s purse was stolen from her unlocked car parked at her home on the 1900 block of Tiara Drive on November 11. The victim, a 41-year-old woman, reported her purse, containing credit cards and a key fob, missing, leading to fraudulent charges made in several locations across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Using advanced investigative techniques, detectives were able to link the suspects to the crime. On November 23, the Carpinteria man was initially arrested by Oxnard Police for unrelated charges but subsequently booked for identity theft as well. He was released on bail before the authorities apprehended both suspects on November 29 at a hotel in Newbury Park.
During their arrest, deputies uncovered additional evidence connecting them to ongoing identity theft activities. The suspects are currently being held at separate facilities in Ventura County. The Carpinteria man faces a total bail of $250,000, while the Port Hueneme woman has bail set at $90,000.
Both will have an early disposition conference scheduled for December 11, 2023, followed by a preliminary examination on December 15, 2023, at the Ventura County Superior Court. This case remains a critical reminder of the risks associated with identity theft and the importance of securing personal belongings.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
