Two suspects arrested in investigation into fraudulent use of EBT cards
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, fraud investigators from San Bernardino County Human Services and detectives from Apple Valley Police Department conducted a joint operation in the Town of Apple Valley.
Fraud investigators identified three banks in the area where EBT (electronic benefit transfer) thefts had occurred. Investigators monitored the banks in the early hours of the morning and identified subjects withdrawing EBT funds from compromised accounts. Traffic stops were conducted, and two suspects were identified.
Sorin Costache, 24, and Adinis Mackis, 32, both of West Covina, were found in possession of numerous fraudulent EBT cards. Both subjects were arrested and transported to High Desert Detention Center for booking. Costache, who is a Romanian national, was deemed a flight risk and is being held in lieu of $350,000 bail. Mackis is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.
The operation resulted in the arrest of these two individuals and the recovery of fraudulent EBT cards, along with approximately $17,000 in cash. They are charged with money laundering (PC 186.10(a), unauthorized access of card information (PC 484e(d) and grand theft (PD 487(a).
Anyone with any information about this investigation (Case No. Welfare Fraud 2800425686) is asked to contact Investigator Flores with San Bernardino County Investigations at (909) 252-4365, Detective Gates with Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip hotline at (800) 78CRIME (27463) or leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Search for burglary suspect prompts lock down of school in Grand Terrace
On Sept. 3, at approximately 11:58 am, deputies responded to the 22000 block of Eton Drive in Grand Terrace to investigate a burglary. The victim arrived home and found a black male adult walking out of his residence. The victim followed the suspect, but lost sight of him.
Deputies received information the suspect was still in the area and requested assistance from San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Division. A perimeter was set and Terrace View Elementary School was placed on lockdown while deputies searched for the suspect.
The suspect was found near the school and was identified as Jailen Parks, a 29-year-old male resident of Grand Terrace. Parks was arrested and booked at Central Detention Center.
Anyone with information regarding this incident (Case No. DR 122400857) is urged to contact Deputy J. Causey at (909)387-3545. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip hotline at (800)m78CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Search for missing man continues in Deep Creek Hot Springs area
On Thursday, Sept. 26, at about 10:00 a.m., David Mitchell, 69 of Lucerne Valley, was last seen near Deep Creek Hot Springs in Apple Valley. Mitchell was last seen walking alone, per video from a trail camera from the hot springs. Mitchell’s 1998 Infiniti I30 (CA: 4CMW335) was abandoned at the Bowen Ranch Campground.
Mitchell is described as a white male, 6’00’ tall, weighing 156 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Mitchell was last seen wearing unknown color hoodie, shorts and dark socks.
Over the last few days, detectives and deputies from the Victor Valley Station, with the assistance of search and rescue volunteers, conducted an extensive search of the Deep Creek Hot Springs and the surrounding areas. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Division conducted an aerial search of the area.
The investigation (Case No. 072403570) is ongoing and anyone with information on the whereabouts of David Mitchell, or who has had recent contact with Mr. Mitchell, is asked to contact Detective A. Pangburn at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, (760) 552-6800. Callers may remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at (800) 78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
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