Southern California police uncover mass identity theft operation

A woman left her car in a Chino Hills post office parking lot for just a few minutes on Monday. When she returned, the passenger window was shattered. Her designer purse and wallet were gone.

Authorities investigated and identified two suspects, according to the Chino Hills Police Department. On Wednesday, a search warrant was executed at a house in Rancho Cucamonga, leading to the identification of a co-conspirator.

During that search, authorities found evidence that linked the trio to several other unsolved cases of identity theft.

Among the items authorities found were dozens of:

• Stolen purses
• Credit cards
• Identification cards, including social security cards
• Passports

The suspects, identified as Rancho Cucamonga residents David Bassett, 44, Jimmy Griffin, 36, and Angela Desiderato, 42.

Police say they obtained bail enhancements for these individuals, given the quantity of the allegedly stolen items.

They were each arrested on suspicion of vehicle burglary, conspiracy, the theft and use of stolen credit cards, fraudulent license plates, possession of stolen property and identity theft. 

No additional details were immediately made available.