HESPERIA: A Hesperia woman was arrested for numerous charges including possession of stolen property, forgery, burglary, and making fictitious checks. Detectives and deputies from the Hesperia Station served a search warrant at a residence in the 11000 block of Calcite Avenue on Wednesday at 7:51 am. They were following leads regarding identity theft and check fraud.
According to a news release, On Dec. 22, 2013 the first of numerous incidents of identity theft and check fraud were reported to the Hesperia Station. Sheriff’s Service Specialist Kristen Rodriguez in the course of her investigations determined that one suspect, later identified as 52-year-old Lorraine Nava, had perpetrated multiple counts of mail theft, identity theft, forgery and check fraud against victims throughout the high desert and Southern California. With assistance from Detective Paul Bader, a search warrant was secured for Nava’s residence.
While executing the search warrant, deputies located numerous stolen items including ID cards, checks and credit cards. Also seized was a “fake ID kit” with fraudulent IDs in various stages of production, computer equipment, electronics and check stock. Deputies also located a stolen vehicle in the garage.
Law enforcement from Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange Counties are currently conducting investigations of similar cases involving Nava.
Deputies discovered Nava was on felony probation out of Los Angeles County for PC459, burglary, felony formal probation out of San Bernardino County for PC666(a) theft with priors, and is listed as a career criminal.
She was arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center for PC459, burglary; PC470, forgery; PC470(b)forgery of signatures; PC496, make fictitious check; PC496(a)possession of stolen property and is being held on $25,000 bail.
Nava was also booked on additional charges of PC459, burglary and PC496, make fictitious check; stemming from an investigation by Victorville City detectives and her bail for those charges is also $25,000.
Anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to please contact Detective Paul Bader at the Hesperia Station, 760-947-1500.
This investigation is an ongoing effort by the Sheriff’s Department to protect the communities it serves.
Citizens are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department or WE-TIP INC(1-800-78-CRIME, www.wetip.com) to report suspicious or criminal activity and can remain anonymous.
[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]According to the California Department of Justice, there were 13.1 million U.S. adult victims of identity theft in 2013, or nearly one victim every two seconds. That figure represents 5.5% of U.S. adults, including over a 1.6 million Californians. The number of victims increased from 12.6 million in 2012.[/box]
source: San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
