Identity Thief caught in raid – A four-month identity theft investigation led to an arrest of a man at his southeast Fresno home on Friday.
Authorities found fake identifications, at least two stolen cars, printers, computers, stolen credit cards and driver’s licenses when they raided the home on Kerckhoff Avenue near Tulare and Chestnut avenues, Fresno County Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said.
“Detectives will have to go through evidence and make sense of who’s been compromised,” Botti said. “It’s fair to say there is at least hundreds of victims adding up to tens of thousands of dollars.”
The cars found Friday were a Dodge Challenger valued at $40,000 and a Ford Mustang worth $80,000. Botti said.
Authorities said Hoover Alford, 45, made many bogus IDs in the home using stolen information and photos. He was arrested on charges of forgery, auto theft, operating a chop shop and identity theft, Botti said.
Alford is known to authorities, Botti said; he was arrested in 2013 for identity theft.
The investigation was conducted by the Fresno HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) multi-agency task force.
Another man was arrested at the home Friday. His name is Jose Martinez, 30, of Fresno. He is facing felonies of forgery and impersonation to get money. Botti said he also faces other charges.