Identity Thieves Still on the Run
SANTA CRUZ—After a lengthy investigation that included the Fresno Police Department, the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department has requested felony arrest warrants for two Santa Cruz residents – 33-year-old Hernan Perez Coto and 32-year-old Jesse Angel Jurado.
Hernan Coto
“We don’t know if they have relatives in Fresno at the moment,” Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Deputy April Skalland said, “But we do know is that these two have committed crimes in Fresno and Fresno PD has shared that information with us and is doing their own investigation.”
Authorities have linked one of the two, Jurado, to an identity theft ring that has victimized dozens of Santa Cruz County residents. Investigators with the sheriff’s department have obtained video of him using an ATM card of an 82-year-old victim whose home had been burglarized.
Jesse Jurado
On Monday January 7 the California Highway Patrol pulled over Coto and Jurado near Santa Cruz because they were found to be driving a stolen vehicle. They were also found to be in possession of stolen credit cards and other identity theft items.
Both Coto and Jurado were transported and booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of vehicle theft, burglary and possession of stolen property. Jurado’s bail was set at $140,000 and Coto’s bail as set at $20,000 dollars.
The two suspects were released after they posted bail. Coto is also on probation for being in possession of narcotics while carrying a firearm. Jurado is on probation for felony evading of a peace officer and is wanted in connection of an identity theft ring that has been plaguing the Santa Cruz County area.
“The warrants were issued about four days after the two were released from jail. Deputy Skalland added, “Jurado is wanted in connection to a different identity theft ring from the one that we had in August. Those people have all been arrested.”
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department is asking if anyone has information on the whereabouts of both Juardo or Coto to please contact them at 1-831-471-1121
Read More:
Santa Cruz Patch: Suspects Sought in Identity Theft Ring
KION: Identity Theft Suspects Arrested, Back on the Run
