Camarillo | Suspect Arrested for Identity Theft

Ventura County Sheriff – Incident Press Release

Suspect Arrested for Identity Theft, Grand Theft-Fraudulent Use of Access Cards, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Burglary Tools, Mail Theft, and Theft.

On 02-26-2021, deputies from the Camarillo Police Department responded to numerous thefts from unlocked vehicles reported in the east end of the city of Camarillo. Camarillo Detectives assisted patrol and through follow-up investigations they reviewed several home surveillance videos. Deputies found a newer model U-Haul van with a Arizona license plate and was seen driving through the area where several thefts had occurred.

The U-Haul van was located in the parking lot of the Camarillo Town Center Shopping Center located in the 200 block of Ventura Blvd. A surveillance of the U-Haul van was quickly set up with detectives and deputies of the Camarillo Direct Enforcement Unit (DEU). The detectives were able to identity a female suspect, later identified as A-Samantha Hale. Hale was seen going into Staples and Target. A DEU deputy contacted Target Loss Prevention and monitored Hale via surveillance video. In the video, Hale was seen going to a self-checkout kiosk where she tried to use several credit cards to purchase merchandise, however, they were declined.

As Hale exited Target, she was detained as she about to enter the U-Haul van. Investigators learned the credit cards in Hale’s possession were stolen and she was in possession of shaved keys. Hale used the stolen credit cards to purchase merchandise from Staples and The Home Depot totaling $1,089.00. Hale was arrested and the U-Haul van was searched. Inside the van, numerous items and mail were identified as stolen property from the previous thefts. Also, there was stolen property recovered from a reported vehicle burglary and a theft from a vehicle in the city of Ventura.

Hale was booked at the Ventura County Main Jail for Identity Theft, Grand Theft, Fraudulent Use of an Access Card, Possession of Stolen Property, Mail Theft, Possession of burglary tools, and Theft.

Detectives have located and returned some of the stolen property and mail back to the original owners.

Detectives would like to remind the residents of Camarillo to not leave personal items in plain view and lock your vehicles after use.