UPDATE: Two individuals have been arrested and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of felony identity theft involving a Mira Monte woman. The suspects, a 27-year-old man from Carpinteria and a 26-year-old woman from Port Hueneme, were taken into custody on November 29, 2023, following a thorough investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The alarming incident began on November 11, when a 41-year-old resident reported her purse containing credit cards and a key fob was stolen from her unlocked vehicle parked in her driveway on the 1900 block of Tiara Drive. The victim’s credit cards were subsequently used fraudulently across various locations in Ventura County and Santa Barbara County.
Detectives utilized advanced investigative techniques to identify the suspects, leading to the arrest of the Carpinteria man on a separate offense on November 23 by the Oxnard Police Department. While he faced charges for identity theft related to this case, he was released after posting bail.
On November 29, authorities located the Port Hueneme woman at the 2700 block of Teller Road in Newbury Park. During the arrest, deputies discovered additional evidence of identity theft, prompting charges against both individuals. They are currently being held in separate Ventura County jails, with bail set at $250,000 for the Carpinteria man and $90,000 for the Port Hueneme woman.
Both suspects have pleaded not guilty to all charges and are scheduled for an early disposition conference on December 11 and a preliminary examination on December 15 at the Ventura County Superior Court.
This troubling case highlights the growing issue of identity theft, affecting individuals and communities alike. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant about securing their personal belongings to prevent similar incidents. Keep an eye on this developing story as more details emerge.
