FOLSOM — A suspected identity theft scheme at a local car dealership ended with two arrests after employees recognized fraudulent identification and quickly contacted police.
According to the Folsom Police Department, officers responded Feb. 3 after receiving a report that two individuals were “attempting to purchase a vehicle using the stolen identity of an uninvolved victim.” Police said dealership staff identified the suspicious documents and immediately notified authorities.
When officers arrived, police reported that “one suspect was seated in a silver Lexus backed into a parking space directly in front of the dealership, while the second suspect was inside attempting to complete the fraudulent transaction.” During the investigation, police said the identity theft victim also contacted the dealership after receiving an alert that their personal information was being used unlawfully.
As officers continued their investigation, police said they located and seized “nine suspected stolen California driver’s licenses, eight stolen and altered Social Security cards, eight stolen bank cards, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and five electronic devices commonly used to facilitate identity theft and fraud-related crimes.”
Diego Moreno of Stockton and Jose Castellanos of Modesto were arrested on multiple felony charges, including identity theft, conspiracy, and possession of a controlled substance. Police said both suspects were also found to have outstanding felony warrants from Stanislaus County and the State of Arizona.
“The Folsom Police Department thanks our business partners for their vigilance and partnership in identifying and reporting criminal activity,” the department stated, adding that working together helps “proactively foster positive relationships, relentlessly pursue criminal behavior and keep Folsom a safe place to live, shop, and visit.”
Police also reminded community members “to safeguard their personal identifying information and to report it immediately if it is ever lost or stolen.”
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