Photo: Top row (l-r) Montoya, Juan Chavez, Bottom row (l-r) Orozco, Manuel Chavez and Flores
SANTA CLARA COUNTY – The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s West County Patrol Unit has made the arrest of five suspects linked to mail and identify theft as they worked together to steal from more than 30 victims throughout San Jose, Milpitas, and the Santa Clara area. The arrests came as a victim of identity theft called to report that her credit card was being used to rent a room at the Cupertino Hilton Garden Inn.
According to Santa Clara County Sheriff Sergeant R. Glennon, “Deputies located three adult males inside the Hilton Garden Inn associated with the rooms booked with the Victim’s stolen credit information.” The three suspects were identified as 31-year-old Milpitas resident Juan Chavez, 36-year-old San Jose resident Raymond Montoya, and 32-year-old Milpitas resident Manuel Chavez.
A search of the room revealed methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and numerous items bearing the names of other individuals to include credit cards, checkbooks, receipts, and a home appraisal.
Glennon said, “Deputies made additional enforcement stops on two vehicles approaching the Hilton Garden Inn.”
Deputies identified 23-year-old Milpitas resident Jorgina Orozco and 43-year-old Milpitas resident Raymond Flores. also as suspects. They were intercepted as they drove to the Hilton Garden Inn, where they were going to meet up the others.
A search of both vehicles revealed at least 30 individuals currently being targeted by the group. Orozco and Flores were in possession of fraudulent checks, credit cards, electronic card readers, a Smith & Wesson Black BB gun and indiscriminate pieces of mail stolen from numerous victim’s mailboxes.
Charges filed against the five suspects include identity theft, fraudulent use of a credit card account, possession of a controlled substance, possession of burglary tools, false ID to a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with information on this case or a similar crime is encouraged to contact the West Valley Patrol Division at (408) 868-6600.
