Ontario man accused of burglary, identity theft, and fraudulent credit card usage in four SoCal counties
A 58-year-old man from Ontario has been arrested on allegations of burglary, identity theft, and theft of thousands of dollars worth of cash and credit card charges throughout four southern California counties.
Douglas Allen Schlichting is suspected of having committed these crimes between January and March of this year. The six incidents reported below took place in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Yorba Linda. “In these cases, he is suspected of stealing victims’ personal items, including credit cards that were fraudulently used to purchase items such as jewelry, home goods and gift cards,” according to Jaimee Blashaw of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Schlichting was arrested outside his home in the 300 block of Plaza Serena on April 13th.
On January 11th, a 71-year-old woman reported that her credit card and $1000 in cash had been stolen from her purse the previous day while she was at St. Martin de Porres Church in Yorba Linda. Fraudulent charges on her credit card totaled $808.
On January 20th, it was reported by a store manager that a man reportedly stole $1000 worth of cash and personal items from the employee locker area of the Pet Supply located in the 22000 block of El Paseo of Rancho Santa Margarita.
On January 22nd, a 57-year-old woman was at the Pope John Paul II Polish Center in Yorba Linda when a man stole $1000 in cash and 2 credit cards from her purse. A total of $3,128 fraudulent credit card charges were made. She reported the crime on February 1st.
On March 20th, it was reported that four employees at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo had personal items stolen, including credit cards and $540 cash. Fraudulent credit card charges totaled $1,725.
On March 26th, a 55-year-old man from Yorba Linda reported that his wallet had been stolen from his vehicle.
Later, he noticed multiple credit card charges, totaling $4000, including cash, and $848 in fraudulent charges.
His residence is located in the 26000 block of Vista Terrace.
On March 27th, a 55-year-old woman reported $517.77 worth of fraudulent charges on her credit card. “She reported the crime at Mission Viejo Police Services and told investigators she did not know where or when her credit card was stolen,” says Blashaw.
“Schlichting also is suspected of committing similar crimes in other cities in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.”
Investigators are asking anyone with information relating to this case or potential other cases involving Schlichting to contact OC Sheriff Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Callers can also report anonymously through OC Crime Stoppers.
