A 38-year-old Covina man was charged with multiple felony counts related to identity theft Thursday for allegedly stealing the personal information of others to open credit card accounts to buy expensive sports memorabilia and dine at high-end restaurants, among other things, Long Beach police said. The combined credit card balances totaled more than $100,000 owed.
Jason Allen Sorenson was charged with six counts of identity theft, three counts of grand theft and one count each of possession of narcotics for sales and ex-felon in possession of ammunition, according to a release from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
Detectives with the department’s Financial Crimes Detail began investigating Sorenson at length since December 2015, the release stated. They learned the suspect used the personal identifying information of multiple victims to open credit cards. Detectives identified three fraudulent credit card accounts with more than $100,000 in balances owed in total.
At least one of the victims was from Long Beach, said LBPD spokesman Brad Johnson.
“The suspect used the credit cards to buy expensive sports memorabilia and make lease payments for three Lexus vehicles,” the release stated. “The suspect also used the fraudulently obtained credit cards to dine at high-end restaurants, and make large purchases at various clothing and electronic retail stores.”
Investigators served a search warrant at the suspect’s Covina residence on May 5, 2016 during which they “recovered multiple key items of evidence related to identity theft.”
Two Lexus vehicles were impounded and multiple sports memorabilia was recovered during the search. The suspect was subsequently arrested on multiple charges of identity theft, grand theft, as well as ex-felon in possession of ammunition, ex-felon in possession of a stun gun and possession of narcotics, according to the release. He posted bail the same day.
Detectives presented their case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office which then filed the 11 felony counts against the suspect. His bail was set at $255,000. He appeared at his arraignment Thursday at Long Beach Superior Courthouse and remains out on bond.
Anyone with information in this case is urged to call Financial Crimes Detectives at 562.570.7330.
This story was updated on May 27 at 2:18PM with information stating that at least one victim was a Long Beach resident.