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Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Thursday August 5th, 2021 :: 03:26 p.m. PDT

Community

Suspect arrested for Identity Theft, Forgery, Possession of Stolen Mail, and Burglary

Nature of Incident: Suspect arrested for Identity Theft, Forgery, Possession of Stolen Mail, and Burglary
 
Report Number: 21-52078
Location: 2000 Block of Grimes Canyon Road, Unincorporated area of Fillmore/Ventura County, CA
 
Date & Time: August 4, 2021 3:00 PM
 
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Detective Bureau/Fillmore Police Department Patrol Services
 
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

City of Residence

 Age
(A) Briana Gutierrez
 		 Carpinteria  28
Narrative:
A 28-year-old Carpinteria woman was arrested for stealing mail, burglary, forgery, and cashing the victim’s stolen checks.     
 
On July 6, 2021, deputies responded to an identity theft call in the 2000 Block of Grimes Canyon Road. The victim reported to have had been alerted by his financial institution with regards to three personal checks that had been cashed by an unknown payee named Briana Gutierrez.  The victim further reported to have placed these checks in his mailbox and he did not know anyone by the name of Briana Gutierrez, nor were the checks originally written out to Gutierrez.  Three checks totaling $1,701.89 had been stolen, forged, and cashed.    
 
The Fillmore Detective Bureau quickly followed up with this case and conducted their investigation.  They were able to positively identify the suspect as Briana Gutierrez, a resident of Carpinteria who has a history of criminal theft crimes. 
 
On August 4, 2021, Fillmore Detectives contacted and arrested Gutierrez in the city of Carpinteria.  Gutierrez was taken into custody for several felonies.  She was subsequently booked into custody at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for Identity Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, Forgery, and Burglary.  Gutierrez’s bail was set at $70,000.  She posted bail with a pending court date.
 
Anyone with information pertaining to crimes of this nature involving Gutierrez is urged to contact Detective Pewsey at the below listed number.  Gutierrez may be implicated in additional check fraud crimes with other victims.  The reporting party may remain anonymous. 
 
The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling 911.  The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes.  We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. 
 
Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
 
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind citizens to be aware of loose mail placed in unlocked mailboxes and theft of mail left in unlocked mailboxes for extended time periods.  Please remember that Postal Inspectors across the country work hard to protect your mail. But with deliveries to more than 100 million addresses, the Postal Inspection Service can't do the job alone.  You can protect your mail from thieves by remembering to pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.  This diligence will assist in the prevention of becoming a victim of identity theft.   
 
If you see or suspect a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately 9-1-1, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 and (press 3) or visit the below link. 
 
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/mailfraud/fraudschemes/mailtheft/tipthieves.aspx 
 
Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Hollowell
 		  
News Release Date: April 26, 2021  
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Pewsey
805-947-8128
 		  
Approved by:
 
 
Booking Photo Release: 		Captain Garo Kuredjian
 
 YES     NO  		  
           
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
 

Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511

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