UPDATE: Two suspects have been arrested for the identity theft of a Mira Monte woman, with both pleading not guilty to felony charges during a state court appearance on December 2. A 27-year-old Carpinteria man and a 26-year-old Port Hueneme woman face serious allegations following their arrests in Newbury Park on November 29.
Authorities from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office report that the suspects are linked to the unauthorized use of a 41-year-old woman’s identifying information after her purse, containing credit cards and a key fob, was stolen from her unlocked car parked in her driveway on the 1900 block of Tiara Drive on November 11.
The victim’s credit cards were subsequently used fraudulently at various locations throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara County. Detectives deployed advanced investigative techniques to identify the two individuals as suspects.
On November 23, the Carpinteria man was arrested by the Oxnard Police Department for unrelated charges but was also booked for identity theft. He was released after posting bail set at $250,000. Just days later, deputies located the Port Hueneme woman in Newbury Park and discovered the couple was residing in a nearby hotel.
During her arrest, she faced similar charges of identity theft, while the Carpinteria man was apprehended again for an outstanding warrant from Santa Barbara County. Further evidence of identity theft was uncovered during their detention, leading to additional charges against both suspects.
Currently, the pair is being held at separate facilities within the Ventura County jails. The Port Hueneme woman’s bail is set at $90,000. Both suspects are scheduled for an early disposition conference on December 11 and a preliminary examination on December 15 at the Ventura County Superior Court.
This case highlights the alarming rise in identity theft incidents, impacting victims on both a financial and emotional level. Authorities urge residents to secure their personal belongings and report any suspicious activity immediately. Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
