Identity Theft

A Glendale florist and his wife pleaded not guilty Monday to multiple charges for allegedly stealing bank information from their customers to buy Visa gift cards at Target stores that they later redeemed at their own store, officials said. Vahik Ghookasian and his wife, Hilda, both 60, face 14 felony counts of identity theft for allegedly buying $1,900 in Visa gift cards at Target stores in Glendale and Burbank with account information from two Glendale residents who patronized Daisy Florist, on the 1400 block of Glenoaks Boulevard, according to a Los Angeles County Superior Court criminal complaint.

Gary Moskowitz A bill that increases penalties for identity theft could become federal law, but local authorities say identity theft prevention will still need state support to make significant changes locally. Identity theft cases have jumped in Glendale in the past two years. "When you look at the numbers, it almost boils down to about two incidents per day," Glendale Police Sgt. Todd Stokes said. "In Glendale, I would call that extreme." The House of Representatives passed an identity theft bill last week that would penalize someone an additional two years for using another's identity information for financial gain or criminal activity.

GLENDALE — You don't have to be a politician to help change laws. Glendale Police Det. Chris Spencer was instrumental in the creation of legislation passed last week that makes identity theft a felony. Spencer helped Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) craft this new law that will make it a felony offense to steal and sell personal information — a crime that used to be a misdemeanor, Spencer said. Assigning felony status to the crime makes the punishment for it more severe.

Ben Godar Glendale Police have arrested 11 people who allegedly used identification stolen from actors, musicians and studio executives to make off with more than $500,000 in recording equipment. The ring used high-tech gadgets, wireless networks and graphic-design skills to forge everything from checks and credit cards to fax numbers, Sgt. Todd Stokes said. Members of the crew sold or traded some of the equipment for methamphetamine. "It was like chasing ghosts," he said.

GLENDALE — More than 1,000 identity-theft crimes have been reported by residents so far this year, police said. People unknowingly fall victim to identity thieves every day, said Glendale police Detective Ron Gillman of the Financial Crimes Unit. Identity-theft cases can start small but often lead detectives to uncover other crimes. Identity thefts across the country result in about $2 billion in losses each year, he said. Three million people in the United States have had their personal information stolen, he added.

The following were taken from daily booking reports from the Glendale Police Department. AREA 1 400 block of Pioneer Drive Matthew Kertz, 26, was arrested March 5 on suspicion of vandalism. West Chevy Chase Drive and San Fernando Road Jose Lopez, 46, was arrested March 5 on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court or pay a fine. 700 block of Salem Street Anthony Capa, 27, was arrested March 6 on suspicion of violating a restraining order.

Darleene Barrientos John Hunter was surprised when he received a notice that he was approved for a mortgage loan, since he hadn't applied for one. Fortunately, he had experience dealing with an unauthorized account made in his name in the past -- just three months ago, he cleared up an account with Home Depot on which someone had charged $1,000 in purchases. Hunter reported the notice to the Glendale Police Department right away and notified the company, Irvine-based Seabreeze Financial Services Inc., that he had not applied for a loan.

Ben Godar Police say identity theft is on the rise in Glendale, and unfortunately victims often have little recourse except to pick up the pieces. "You're really at the mercy of these people," Officer Ash Mankarios said. The damage caused by identity and credit-card theft can generally be repaired, but Mankarios said it takes a tremendous amount of time to clear one's name with various banks and credit bureaus. "They really put you through the ringer," he said.

In the past women have been told to hold tight to their purses and men to their wallets because "pick pockets" are out there. But now with new technology all criminals need to empty your bank account is to go through your garbage, a U.S. Secret Service Agent told a group at Descanso last week. United States Secret Service Agent Patrick Casey gave clients of Hurley Wealth Management Group tips at last week's seminar at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada. President of the group, Greg Hurley, had invited Casey and Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Deputy Christopher Deacon to speak to the investors on identification theft.