A trio of identity thieves in the Los Angeles area have been busted by ICE and state law enforcement for operating an organized identity and retail theft ring.
The operation involved the three suspects using 13 stolen identities to apply for credit cards, then purchasing over $100,000 in merchandise from the jewelry stores Zales, Jared, and Kay, as well as tool retailer Harbor Freight. The scheme spanned Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
“These arrests are the result of excellent collaboration between [Homeland Security Investigations], private industry, state and local law enforcement partners,” ICE HSI Orange County Assistant Special Agent in Charge Christopher Bracken. “HSI will work tirelessly with our partners in California to ensure that those who commit fraud will be held accountable.”
The scheme was uncovered after a Signet Jeweler’s Corporate Fraud Investigator tipped off the California Department of Justice, which worked with HSI and local law enforcement in the investigation.
“This was not a one-off shoplifting offense, it was a malicious, coordinated scheme,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “These crimes hurt our businesses and pose a serious threat to our communities. I am thankful to Signet Jewelers as well as our local and state law enforcement partners for their collaboration in the battle against organized retail crime. We will not give up until we put a stop to this criminal activity all together.”
The DOJ has filed a 34-count felony complaint against the three suspects, with charges including organized retail theft, grand theft and identity theft.
