Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Massive Identity Theft Operation Found In The Trunk Of A Car
Trunk fraud (Photo by frankieleon via the Creative Commons on Flickr)
()
Police discovered a massive credit card and identity theft operation in the trunk of a stolen car in San Bernardino County today.
Much more than just junk, the trunk of the stolen vehicle contained over 100 stolen credit cards and social security cards, a computer with many more names, as well as a machine for creating more cards, according to Highland Community News. The stolen credit cards belonged to victims from Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, and as far as Hawaii. Highland Police identified the stolen car using an Automatic License Plate (ALPR) reader and tracked it to an AM/PM convenience store in Highland this morning.
Highland Police arrested a man and woman on suspicion of operating the identity theft operation. The woman was identified as Norra Bannatt Mokhtar of San Bernardino, while the man's identity has not yet been released. The fraud operation is considered by Highland Police to be their biggest crime bust made with the help of the ALPR reader.
According to ABC7's Rob McMillan, the suspects are also accused of using an embossing machine to flatten the credit cards and add their own names to them:
Support for LAist comes from
Highland Police pulled over a stolen car this morning. Two suspects were arrested...but it's what was found in the trunk...
Posted by Rob McMillan on Tuesday, June 16, 2015
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist