Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Burglary and Identity Theft Suspects Arrested
Report Number: 15-5639
Location: 100 Block of Cartagena Street, Camarillo
Date & Time: 03/12/15 @ 4:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail
Camarillo Investigations Bureau

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence
Ethan Gross Camarillo
Melanie Hoffman Camarillo

Narrative:

On 3/12/15, Ethan Gross was arrested in Camarillo with his girlfriend, Melanie Hoffman, for residential burglary and identity theft.

On 2/27/15, Gross was arrested by detectives from the Camarillo Investigations Bureau for possession of stolen property, identity theft and drug related offenses. Gross was booked into the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility and was released on 3/03/15.

On 3/09/15, a resident who lived in the 1400 block of West Chapel Drive in Camarillo called the Sheriff’s Office to report a possible burglary at the home. Responding deputies discovered the resident left from the home several days earlier, and upon returning, the resident found a door unlocked and found property in the home belonging to Hoffman. Upon closer inspection, the resident discovered several items were stolen from the home.

Patrol deputies went to Gross’ home to conduct a probation search on him and discovered several items from the victim’s home in Gross’ bedroom. Gross was not present at the time of the search.

On 3/12/15, detectives from the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail went to Gross’ home to conduct a probation search. Gross fled from the residence on foot but was apprehended a short time later. A search of his room revealed additional property that was stolen from the residential burglary in the 1400 block of West Chapel Drive. Hoffman was also at the home and was arrested for narcotics-related charges. Detectives continued investigating and discovered that Gross and Hoffman were responsible for entering the victim’s home and stealing the victim’s property. Additionally, Gross and Hoffman used the victim’s personal identifying information to open an online financial account.

Gross and Hoffman were arrested and booked at the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Gross’ bail was set at $130,000 and Hoffman’s bail was set at $55,000.


Prepared by: Sergeant Eric Tennessen
News Release Date: March 13, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Patrick Hawthorne @ (805) 388-5119
Approved by: Captain Cory Rubright