Alleged identity theft ring operator busted
A Hawthorne man suspected of operating an identity theft ring was charged with three counts of identity theft and one count each of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a short-barreled rifle and possession of a firearm by a felon last week, according to a Los Angeles County District Attorney felony complaint. Shawn Berry, 44, was arrested after Manhattan Beach detectives conducted a third raid of his Hawthorne residence on May 7 and found notebooks full of victim’s names, social security numbers and dates of birth, pre-paid debit cards, U.S. Treasury checks and stolen mail. The previous raids occurred on December 21 and February 13. Through the investigation, Manhattan Beach Detective Jeanette Meers confirmed 30 victims of identity theft. But based on the evidence, she believes there are hundreds more. Most victims are from Los Angeles or the South Bay. Police suspect that individuals would bring stolen information – like social security cards, mail and drivers licenses – to Berry’s residence, after which the suspect would fraudulently file victims’ taxes online and open prepaid debit cards in that victim’s name. Police believe the suspects would then have the tax refunds…
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