UPDATE: Two individuals have been arrested for the identity theft of a Mira Monte woman, with both pleading not guilty in state court on December 2, 2023. A 27-year-old man from Carpinteria and a 26-year-old woman from Port Hueneme face multiple charges, including using another person’s identifying information without authorization.
Authorities from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced that the suspects were taken into custody on November 29, 2023, in Newbury Park. The arrests followed an investigation initiated after a 41-year-old Mira Monte resident reported her purse, containing credit cards and a key fob, stolen from her unlocked car parked in her driveway on November 11.
The stolen credit cards were later used fraudulently at various locations across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, prompting detectives to employ advanced investigative techniques that ultimately identified the suspects. Just days before their arrest, the Carpinteria man was arrested on unrelated charges by the Oxnard Police Department, where he was subsequently booked for identity theft.
On November 29, deputies located the Port Hueneme woman at a hotel near the 2700 Block of Teller Road. During her arrest, deputies uncovered additional evidence pointing to identity theft, resulting in both suspects being charged with further offenses.
Both individuals are currently held in separate facilities at the Ventura County Jail. The Carpinteria man’s bail is set at $250,000, while the Port Hueneme woman faces a $90,000 bail. They 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 ongoing issue of identity theft, which has significant emotional and financial repercussions for victims. As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information on similar incidents to come forward. The community remains on alert as these developments unfold.
