DATE/TIME: November 1, 2024 / 6:02 a.m.
INCIDENT: P.C. 487 - Grand Theft, P.C. 496 - Possession of Stolen Property, P.C. 484E - Theft of Credit Card Information, P.C. 182 - Conspiracy
LOCATION: Wells Fargo Bank, 3289 Grand Avenue, Chino Hills
SUSPECT(S): Nikola Pavel, a 39-year-old resident of Los Angeles
Gheorghe Getla, a 57-year-old resident of Kent, Washington
VICTIM(S): State of California
SUMMARY: On Friday, November 1, 2024, Chino Hills Multiple Enforcement Team deputies conducted surveillance at multiple local banks in Chino Hills. This operation was a part of a multi-city operation to combat Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) thefts, led by San Bernardino County Welfare Fraud.
At around 6:02 a.m., deputies contacted Nikola Pavel and Gheorghe Getla at the Wells Fargo Bank, at 3289 Grand Avenue in Chino Hills. Pavel and Getla possessed a large amount of U.S. currency and approximately 60 cloned EBT cards. The cloned EBT cards provided the suspects access to multiple victim's accounts.
The currency found in their possession was stolen via the cloned EBT cards. Through investigation, deputies learned the cloned EBT cards possessed by the suspects had over $50,000 remaining on the cards that the suspects were not able to utilize. Both suspects were arrested for grand theft, possession of stolen property, theft of credit card information, and conspiracy. They were booked at West Valley Detention Center.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Chino Hills Police Department at (909) 364-2000. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Deputy Mateusz Nosek or Sergeant Bryan Sprague
Station: Chino Hills Station
Phone No. (909) 364-2000
Case No. 222403267
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
