During the month of August 2017, Thousand Oaks Police Department detectives began an investigation of a group of individuals who targeted elderly customers of Thousand Oaks businesses and restaurants. This group of people followed customers into retail establishments and restaurants, distracted them and stole their wallets. The suspects subsequently stole the victims’ identity and made thousands of dollars’ worth of fraudulent purchases, usually before the victim realized their wallet was missing.
Thousand Oaks Police detectives soon learned that this crew was responsible for thefts in numerous other states including Colorado, Nebraska, and Illinois as well as multiple California counties including, Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Santa Clara County and Orange County. Detectives positively identified Ashley Botteri as one of the main suspects in these cases.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Botteri’s residence located in the 2000 Block of Lurline Avenue in the City of Winnetka. On September 12, 2018, at approximately 7:05 a.m., Thousand Oaks Police Department detectives along with the assistance from detectives with the Arvada Police Department in Colorado, arrested Botteri in her residence and served the search warrant. Several items of evidence were seized from Botteri’s residence including other people’s personal identifying information, evidence of fraudulently obtained gift cards and goods, as well as $26,000.00 in United States Currency. In addition, Detectives seized a 2017 Land Rover and evidence Botteri used another person’s identity to purchase the vehicle.
Ashley Botteri was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for grand theft and identity theft with a bail of $500,000.00. Botteri was also booked for an active Ventura County felony warrant for Commercial Burglary and identity theft with a bail of $500,000.00.
Thousand Oaks Police Detectives subsequently identified Pamela Pomar and Cynthia Dov, both of West Hills, as being co-conspirators with Botteri. On September 25, 2018, Detectives served a search warrant at Pomar’s and Dov’s residence located in the 22000 block of Ingomar Street, West Hills. As a result of the search warrant, Detectives located numerous fraudulent identification cards, evidence of fraudulently obtained gift cards, and a useable amount of cocaine. Detectives also seized a 2015 BMW in Pomar’s and Dov’s possession along with evidence the vehicle was purchased fraudulently with another person’s identity.
Pamela Pomar was arrested for identity theft, elder abuse and conspiracy. Pomar was also arrested for active felony warrants out of Los Angeles County and Orange County also for identity theft related charges.
Cynthia Dov was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy, and being an accessory to the crime. In addition, Dov was arrested for active felony warrants out of Santa Clara County and Orange County all for identity theft related charges.
Pomar and Dov were booked into the Ventura County Jail each with a bail of $100,000.00.
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