Arrest Made in ID Theft Case; Help Wanted to ID Blonde

A development in an identity theft case has SCV sheriff’s deputies once again asking for the community’s help.

Valerie Lynne Ray, 54, of Los Angeles, was arrested Feb. 5 in connection with a crime ring that is believed to have victimized women in the Crescenta Valley, Ventura County and SCV, said Deputy Josh Dubin of the SCV Sheriff’s Station.

“We believe the woman we have in custody is the woman who physically stole the wallets and IDs,” Dubin said. “She then gave those IDs and wallets to the (person of interest).”

Dubin said there are likely additional counts pending from other cities.

Ray is accused of helping orchestrate the theft ring, but detectives believe she did not act alone.

“Detectives have recently obtained high-resolution photos from bank-security cameras, and we’re hoping these photos lead to an arrest of another person of interest sought in this case,” Dubin said.

Deputies are seeking the community’s help in Identifying a blonde woman who helped commit the thefts.

“Three white women were preyed upon from various grocery stores in the Santa Clarita area,” Dubin said in a recent interview, adding that all of the victims had a close resemblance to the female suspect who is currently being sought.

The person of interest is not thought to be a Santa Clarita resident; however, Dubin said detectives are concerned that the incidents may have spurred a copycat criminal.

The additional incidents are unrelated, Dubin said.

On Jan. 12, deputies from the SCV Sheriff’s Station responded to three separate incidents regarding female victims reporting a stolen wallet.

SCV Sheriff’s Detectives began exchanging information with surrounding law enforcement agencies regarding these types of theft incidents. Detectives determined the Santa Clarita thefts may be connected to a larger network of similar cases occurring in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Detectives from the SCV Sheriff’s Station began an immediate investigation into the three incidents. It was discovered a female (pictured in the attached photo) driving a silver Cadillac SUV with paper license plates, entered various locations posing as the victims and used their driver licenses and credit cards to obtain cash and jewelry.

Less than a month later, Ray was arrested and booked at the SCV Station for three counts of burglary and three counts of identity theft. She’s being held at the Century Regional Detention Center in lieu of $205,000 bail.

If you recognize the female pictured in the attached photos, detectives ask that you call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or report online at http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Arrest Made in ID Theft Case; Help Wanted to ID Blonde