grand theft

Published on: February 13, 2018

Man Accused of Multi-Million Dollar Sales Scheme Fraud Facing 89 Charges

A Dana Point resident who allegedly made millions of dollars in purchases through fraudulent means at several businesses in San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties is facing 89 charges for the schemes.

Over a nine-month period last year, businesses in three Southern California counties were the victims of a forced-sale scheme consisting of the perpetrator purchasing expensive merchandise with credit cards; some of which were fake and others were inactive. The standard authorization process that the credit card machines typically issue was surpassed by the customer requesting that the sales associate enter the transaction by hand or telling them to force the sale through.

When the transactions were processed by the credit card companies the merchants received notification that the payment was not approved.

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Published on: January 8, 2018

Three Accused of Stealing Luggage from Airport Baggage Claim

by Staycie R. Sena

Three suspects have been arrested for alleged theft when they were discovered taking luggage that did not belong to them at the Miami International Airport. The bags in question were taken during a three month period in the middle of the holiday travel season.

On December 15 a passenger on board a flight arrived at the Miami International Airport and learned that her luggage was not on the conveyor belt at her designated baggage claim area. The woman called Miami-Dade police and told them of the incident three days later on December 18, which led to the authorities viewing the video surveillance camera footage from the time period in which the event took place.

The video displayed a man, later identified as Wilbert Cabrera-Valdes, removing two bags from the belt, one of which was recognized as the woman caller’s possessions.

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Published on: December 10, 2017

Florida Man Pistol-Whips Woman with Her Own Gun

by Staycie R. Sena

A woman reported that she was physically assaulted on Saturday by the man she shares a residence with. The fight allegedly broke out when she refused his request for a ride to Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Calvin Shuler allegedly spent the entire weekend celebrating his 47^th birthday using alcohol and cocaine in the residence he shares with the victim. He decided he wanted her to drive him to KFC and she denied him, causing an argument to ensue.

The woman became frightened for her safety and attempted to lock herself in the bedroom. Shuler purportedly became increasingly angry and threatened to kick the door down. He followed through with his warning and burst into the room when she refused to unlock it, and she claimed that he jumped on top of her while she was laying in bed and began hitting her.

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Published on: December 8, 2017

Urban Decay Executive Faces Grand Theft Charges for Pilfering over $1 Million

by Staycie R. Sena

An executive for the cosmetics company Urban Decay has been accused of stealing more than $1 million through bank transfer transactions between the business and fraudulent accounts he created. He is facing felony charges for the allegations.

Irvine resident Ranjeet Reddy Paladugo holds a position as the vice president of finance at the Newport Beach based company Urban Decay. He is suspected of utilizing several banks in order to create fake accounts, which were similarly named after business affiliates of the company, in order to embezzle funds that he transferred from Urban Decay. On July 17 he allegedly stole over $1 million from Urban Decay.

Paladugo purportedly commissioned a transaction in the amount of $598,500 which he transferred through one of the phony accounts. He then transferred that money into his personal bank account. This procedure was repeated again in the same amount, and routed through a second bogus business account. Paladugo is said to have used the stolen money for personal use, including the down payment on a house.

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Published on: November 30, 2017

Orange County Probation Officer Accused of Stealing Cash on the Job

by Staycie R. Sena

46-year-old Juan Manuel Rodriguez is employed as an Orange County probation officer. While on assignment with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Tactical Apprehension Team he has been suspected of taking money from the residents of the homes where he assisted in serving search warrants.

On August 8 Rodriguez visited a residence in Santa Ana in order to serve a search warrant. The person being served was distracted during the period that Rodriguez was inspecting their identification card, and they claimed that $150 had gone missing from their wallet. The victim alerted one of the sheriff’s deputies on site immediately after noticing the money was gone.

According to prosecutors, sheriff’s officials made the decision to organize a sting operation two days after the incident was reported in an attempt to apprehend the offender. A vehicle was rigged with a hidden surveillance camera and $1,200 was planted inside.

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