It started with an investigation into a Ventura County resident’s mail theft, which included a number of checks being forged, and cashed. But, Ventura County Sheriff’s detectives say it led them to a man that victimized people in a half dozen communities in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Investigators say as they looked into the first case of mail, and identity theft, they were able to track down video of a man fraudulently cashing some of the stolen checks. Some patrol deputies recognized Jacob DeGrande from the videos in the parking lot of an Ojai motel.
They say they found the 46 year old Ventura man had hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, as well as check making equipment. DeGrande was charged with mail theft, identity theft, and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
