In June, a wallet was stolen from a parked car at the Shady Canyon trailhead, according to the Irvine Police Department.
Soon after, the thief used the victim’s credit cards to make purchases at the Irvine Spectrum, all caught on security cameras.
Fast forward to Thursday, when IPD Crime Impact Unit spotted the same man with a woman at Trader Joe’s in Lake Forest. Detectives watched as the two targeted an elderly shopper, distracted her and took her wallet and phone.
The officers followed the pair to the Spectrum, where they tried to make more fraudulent purchases. That is when CIU detectives decided it was time to close out their account with a trip to the Orange County Jail.
Jose Antonio Poblete Velasquez, 57, from San Fernando, is facing charges of grand theft, elder abuse, burglary, and identity theft.
Claudia Sepulveda, 40, from Los Angeles, is facing charges such as conspiracy, grand theft, and burglary.
They shopped with stolen credit cards, but their final stop was not at a store. It was at the Orange County Jail.
Here’s a plain-text summary of the potential penalties for the charges faced by Jose Antonio Poblete Velasquez and Claudia Sepulveda under California law:
1. Grand Theft (Penal Code § 487)
- Definition: Theft of property valued over $950.
- Penalty:
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail.
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail.
2. Elder Abuse (Penal Code § 368)
- Definition: Physical, emotional, or financial abuse of someone 65 or older.
- Penalty:
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail and/or $6,000 fine.
- Felony: 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison, plus up to $10,000 fine.
- Enhancement: If the victim suffers great bodily harm, an additional 3–7 years may be added depending on the victim’s age.
3. Burglary (Penal Code § 459)
- Definition: Entering a structure with intent to commit theft or any felony.
- Penalty:
- First-degree (residential): 2, 4, or 6 years in state prison.
- Second-degree (commercial): Up to 3 years in county jail.
4. Identity Theft (Penal Code § 530.5)
- Definition: Unauthorized use of someone’s personal identifying information.
- Penalty:
- Felony or misdemeanor depending on the case.
- Up to 3 years in jail and/or fines.
5. Conspiracy (Penal Code § 182)
- Definition: Agreement between two or more people to commit a crime.
- Penalty:
- Punishment is generally the same as for the underlying crime (e.g., theft or burglary).