36-year-old Marselina Ortiz and 43-year-old Jason Warner, of Long Beach were arrested at a Santa Ana motel after paying with a credit card stolen from a Temecula business, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Riverside County Deputies responded to the 28000 block of Jefferson Avenue on Tuesday to a report of a commercial burglary.
The burglary suspects allegedly broke into the business, loaded approximately $50,000 worth of tools and property into a vehicle, then stole the vehicle too.
Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Southwest Station Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team took over the investigation andthey were able to obtain information that the victim’s credit card was allegedly used to book a room at a motel in Santa Ana.
RBST members obtained a search warrant for the motel room on Saturday and were able to locate the stolen vehicle in the motel’s parking lot.
RBST members along with members of the Southwest Sheriff’s Station’s Special Enforcement Team and Investigations Bureau later identified the suspects as they were both seen exiting the motel room and were then detained by the deputies.
The search warrant was served on the vehicle and the motel room, and the majority of the victim’s stolen property was recovered.
Ortiz was arrested and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of commercial burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, identity theft, fraudulent use of credit card information and possession of a controlled substance. She was being held on $10,000 bail.
Warner was also booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of commercial burglary. He was being held on $10,000 bail.
Here are the penalties for each of these offenses in California:
Commercial Burglary
Commercial burglary, defined under Penal Code 459, is considered second-degree burglary. It can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. If charged as a misdemeanor, the penalty is up to 1 year in county jail. If charged as a felony, the penalty is 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.
Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
Possession of a stolen vehicle is a wobbler offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. As a misdemeanor, the penalty is up to 1 year in county jail. As a felony, the penalty is 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.
Possession of Stolen Property
Possession of stolen property, under Penal Code 496, is also a wobbler offense. As a misdemeanor, the penalty is up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. As a felony, the penalty is 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Identity Theft
Identity theft, under Penal Code 530.5, can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. As a misdemeanor, the penalty is up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. As a felony, the penalty is 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.
Fraudulent Use of Credit Card Information
Fraudulent use of credit card information, under Penal Code 484g, can be charged as petty theft or grand theft. Petty theft (items valued up to $950) is a misdemeanor with penalties of up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Grand theft (items valued over $950) can be charged as a misdemeanor with penalties of up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, or as a felony with penalties of 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of a controlled substance, under Health and Safety Code 11350(a), is typically a misdemeanor offense. The penalty is up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. However, certain circumstances, such as prior convictions, can elevate the charge to a felony.
Yeah first thing I’d do after boosting $50K worth of goods is head over to a crackhouse motel on First St! Cops will never find you there!