News

Released: June 8, 2011 - Wednesday, 02:17 PM

Fraud Ring - Arrests

Contact: Rob BrynPhone: (805) 781-4547Date and time of incident: 6-4-11 ongoingPlace of Occurrence: 500 Block East Cook, Santa MariaVictim Information: Approx. 150 different personsSuspect Information: Natalie Rae Fuentes 26, Santa Maria, Michael John Hastings, 44 Santa Maria, Casey Sartain 29, Santa MariaSan Luis Obispo County Sheriff's detectives working on identity theft cases from two different parts of the county have broken a theft and fraud ring that may be responsible for over 150 theft cases. SLOSO detectives working with Pismo Beach Police, Santa Maria Police and United States Postal Inspection Service raided a home in Santa Maria on Friday, arresting three persons and recovering evidence of mail theft, stolen checks and identity fraud. An improvised explosive device was also processed at the scene by Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Bomb Task Force.
The ring burglarized mail drop boxes, taking the contents and then "washed" checks, a process that changes the payee, created on line accounts and transferred funds to debit cards that accomplices then used to remove money from the unsuspecting victims bank accounts.
Fuentes was booked on numerous fraud charges, while Hastings was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on parole violations, and Sartain is being held in Santa Barbara County Jail, also on parole hold. Bail for Fuentes is $20,000.00, the parole holds are no bail.
Booking photo release authorized. Media must contact SBSO for Sartain booking photo.