Woman arrested for identity theft

Riverside Police Officers responded to a vehicle dealership regarding a woman trying to purchase two Sea-Doo watercraft with fake identification. The woman was later found to be in possession of several fraudulently-purchased vehicles and furniture.

Investigating officers learned the suspect was in possession of ID for three other names, with credit reports and false California driver’s licenses. Officers also located more false licenses utilizing different male names with the same picture.

The suspect arrived at a Riverside motorsports dealership in the 7500-block of Indiana Avenue, driving a 2008 Chevy Tahoe she purchased in Puente, entirely on credit and registered to one of the false names. The Puente car dealership confirmed the Tahoe was purchased for $40,000 using one of the fake driver’s licenses. A receipt found in the car showed that $6,000 worth of furniture was purchased from the Ashley Home Store in Murrieta under one of the male’s names and delivered to a Moreno Valley address. Envelopes containing credit applications for various credit cards under the false names were also found in the car.

An Economic Crimes Detective responded to the suspect’s Moreno Valley residence, where investigators located a new Nissan Altima sedan and a Yamaha Waverunner watercraft on a trailer located in the driveway, and a Yamaha motorcycle located in the garage. All three vehicles were registered to one of the fraudulent names. The fraudulently-obtained furniture was inside the house. Ashley Home Store sent a truck to pick up the furniture. Police towed all the vehicles. Miriam Macedo, 42, of Moreno Valley, was arrested for Identity Theft and booked at Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. Anyone with additional information helpful to this investigation is urged to contact Riverside Police Detective Rita Cobb at (951) 353-7117.