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Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Thursday March 6th, 2025 :: 02:58 p.m. PST

Community

Suspect Arrested for Multiple Identity Theft Related Crimes

Nature of Incident Suspect Arrested for Multiple Identity Theft Related Crimes
 
Report Number: 25-25986
Location: Bank of the Sierra
527 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore CA
 
Date & Time: March 03, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services / Fillmore Bureau of Investigation
 
Suspects

City of Residence

Age
Arvan Washington III Santa Maria, CA 60
Narrative:
A Santa Maria resident who is a convicted felon was arrested for multiple identity theft crimes, forgery, possession of stolen checks, and false impersonation charges.
 
On March 03, 2025, at approximately 3:00 P.M., patrol deputies assigned to the Fillmore Police Department were dispatched to suspicious circumstances at the Bank of the Sierra in the city of Fillmore.
 
A customer identified as Arvan Washington III, was attempting to open a bank account and lines of credit using suspicious and fraudulent personal identifying documents which prompted bankers to notify the police.  Upon deputies’ arrival, it was discovered that Washington attempted to foil bank representatives using a fraudulent driver license, social security numbers, and impersonating himself as someone else.  As the investigation quickly unfolded, it was discovered Washington had a lengthy criminal history where he had previously been involved in identity theft related crimes throughout the Lompoc, Ventura, and Santa Paula areas.   
 
During the investigation, Fillmore patrol deputies obtained additional evidence including several fraudulent documents, stolen checks, out of state fake driver licenses’, and personal identifying information of additional people.  Washington was placed under arrest for identity theft and several charges related to forgery crimes and was subsequently booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trail Detention Facility. 
 
It is believed Washington may be implicated in additional unsolved crimes related to identity theft.  The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.  If anyone has additional information involving Washington or any other crimes, they are urged to contact the Fillmore Station Detectives at the below listed numbers, their local law enforcement office, or the Fillmore Police Department at (805) 524-2234.
 
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to increasing and strengthening community partnerships and utilizing technologies and evidence-based practices to enhance collaborative efforts at reducing crime and improving public safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on “X” @ VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
 
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind citizens to be aware of loose mail placed in unlocked mailboxes and theft of mail left in unlocked mailboxes for extended time periods.  Please remember that Postal Inspectors across the country work hard to protect your mail. But with deliveries to more than 100 million addresses, the Postal Inspection Service can't do the job alone.  You can protect your mail from thieves by remembering to pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.  This diligence will assist in the prevention of becoming a victim of identity theft.   
 
If you see or suspect a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately 9-1-1, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 and (press 3) or visit the below listed website.
 https://ehome.uspis.gov/mailtheft/idtheft.aspx
 
Prepared by: Detective Sergeant Jarrod Foote  
News Release Date: March 06, 2025  
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Axel Morales
Axel.Morales@ventura.org 
805-477-7011
 
Detective Dustin Heersche
Dustin.Heersche@ventura.org
805-477-7012
 
 
Approved by:
 
 
Booking Photo Release:
Captain Eduardo Malagon
 
 
YES     NO  
 
           
 
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
 

Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511

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