Two men have been arrested in Claremont on suspicion of identity theft after officers pulled them over and found stolen mail, credit cards, phony drivers licenses and a key used to open community mailboxes, police said Wednesday.
Raymond Lussow, 28, of Pomona and 39-year-old transient Joseph Martinez were arrested on Monday, according to Claremont Police Department Lt. Jason Walters.
Officers pulled over the suspects about 2:05 p.m. Monday near Indian Hill Boulevard and First Street, Walters said.
"The driver (Martinez) was determined to be under the influence of drugs, driving with a suspended license and had an active warrant," Walters said. "A passenger in the vehicle (Lussow) also had an active warrant for his arrest."
Both were arrested at the scene after the stolen mail and other items were found in the vehicle, Walters said.
"The investigation led detectives to the Claremont Lodge (at) 736 S. Indian Hill Blvd. where the suspects had fraudulently rented a room," Walters said. "A search of the room led to additional stolen mail, (a) card reader, fraudulent checks and over 20,000 personal profiles of identity theft victims."
Investigators are working with the U.S. Postal Service in pursuing federal charges against the two men, Walters said.
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Martinez was booked on suspicion of DUI and both men were booked on suspicion of identity theft, mail theft, illegal possession of a card reader and forgery.
Martinez is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and Lussow in lieu of $80,000 bail, Walters said.
