UPDATE: Two individuals have been arrested for the urgent crime of identity theft affecting a Mira Monte woman. A 27-year-old man from Carpinteria and a 26-year-old woman from Port Hueneme pleaded not guilty to felony charges at a state court on December 2, 2023, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects were apprehended on November 29 in Newbury Park following an investigation into the theft of a purse from an unlocked vehicle belonging to a 41-year-old Mira Monte resident. The incident occurred on the 1900 block of Tiara Drive on November 11. The victim reported that her purse, containing credit cards and a key fob, was stolen, leading to fraudulent charges across multiple locations in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Detectives utilized advanced investigative methods to identify the two suspects, who were found staying at a nearby hotel. The Carpinteria man had been arrested earlier by the Oxnard Police Department on unrelated charges but was subsequently booked for identity theft. After posting bail, he was released, only to be arrested again alongside the Port Hueneme woman.
During their arrests, authorities discovered additional evidence of identity theft, prompting further charges against the pair. They are currently held in separate facilities at the Ventura County Jail, facing total bails of $250,000 for the man and $90,000 for the woman.
Both individuals are scheduled for an early disposition conference on December 11 and a preliminary examination on December 15 at the Ventura County Superior Court, as confirmed by court records.
This case highlights the serious issue of identity theft, which not only affects the victims financially but also takes a toll on their emotional well-being. Authorities urge the community to take precautions to protect their personal information and report any suspicious activities immediately.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
