URGENT UPDATE: A series of alarming crimes has struck Saratoga, with residents facing significant financial losses due to identity theft, theft by false pretenses, and burglary over the past few days. Authorities report that residents have lost a staggering $30,000 in total.
On August 11, a Saratoga resident fell victim to identity theft when someone used their personal information to access their bank account, resulting in a total loss of around $30,000. The crime highlights a growing issue of identity theft in the area, raising concerns among local residents.
Just a day later, on August 12, vandalism occurred at approximately 3:20 a.m. when an unknown assailant broke the window of a vehicle parked in the 18000 block of Paseo Lado, causing damages exceeding $1,000.
The crime spree continued on August 13, when another resident reported being deceived by an email scam. The victim was contacted by someone posing as a representative from an online payment company, who falsely claimed that $10,000 had been mistakenly deposited into their account. Following instructions, the victim mailed $9,500 in cash to an unknown address in Southern California, falling prey to this elaborate scam.
Additionally, authorities were alerted to another case of identity theft where a resident’s personal information was misused to open bank and cellular phone service accounts. Fortunately, no financial loss was reported in this instance.
In an alarming trend, the same day, a resident reported that a check mailed from their home in the 12000 block of Jolene Court had been altered, forged, and cashed, leading to a loss of approximately $6,383. Another victim, who mailed a check using a mailbox at the US Post Office on Allendale Avenue, suffered a similar fate with a loss of about $900.
The following day, August 14, a commercial burglary was reported at Saratoga Eyes on Big Basin Way. At 4:35 a.m., a suspect broke a glass door and stole various glasses, escalating the crime wave in this calm community.
Most recently, on August 15, a residential burglary occurred in the 19000 block of Gunther Court. Between 1:12 p.m. and 2:18 p.m., an intruder entered through an unlocked screen door and made off with valuable jewelry, further alarming local residents.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Authorities stress the importance of protecting personal information and securing homes to prevent further incidents. As this situation develops, local law enforcement continues to investigate these crimes, looking for suspects and patterns that could lead to apprehensions.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
