Arrests made in identity case

GLENDALE — Detectives continue to investigate an identify-theft case that led to the arrests of two men and a woman, who reportedly placed a detachable credit card skimmer on a bank’s ATM access door.

Glendale police Financial Crimes Unit detectives on July 24 arrested Meher Abolian, 21, Tiffany Conant, 20, and Rane Melkom, 22. Police observed them attaching the credit-card skimmer and later detaching it.

Identity thieves often use credit-card skimmers that are small hand-held devices that read a card’s magnetic strip and store information, such as names, account numbers and expiration dates.

The incident occurred at a Washington Mutual in the area.

“These guys were going to commit identity theft, but we intervened,” police Det. Ron Gillman said.

Police are looking into whether Abolian, Conant and Melkom were connected to other thefts and have asked other agencies to check for related incidents in their communities.

Abolian, Conant and Melkom were charged with identity theft and made bail.

A camera, recorder, wireless receiver, card skimmers, encoders and laptops were seized from their homes, police said. The devices were used to get account information, police said.

Gillman warned people to be vigilant of ATMs that look out of place, and be weary of individuals sitting in parked cars outside of an ATM entrance.

Patrons should also avoid using an ATM if the credit-card swiper looks longer than normal.