Suspects in identity theft, fraud cases in Morro Bay arrested

Authorities with the Morro Bay Police Department arrested two suspects in a string of cases involving fraud, forgery, identity theft, and the theft of personal mail.

Morro Bay police said 35-year-old Eric Dean Perez of Morro Bay and his alleged accomplice, Chelsea Raye Crooks, 28, of Simi Valley, stole personal mail that included personal checks from various mailboxes in Morro Bay and throughout San Luis Obispo County.

Police we able to identify the suspects by obtaining surveillance video along with other pieces of evidence during their investigation. They said the suspects would fraudulently alter the checks, forge the checks, and cash them.

Perez was arrested on August 26 while Crooks was taken into custody three days later in the Cambria area. Both suspects were booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail.

Perez was charged with identity theft, theft by false pretenses, forgery, and possession of stolen property.

Crooks was charged with identity theft, theft by false pretenses, and forgery.

Anyone with information regarding this case or believes they may have been a victim of recent mail theft or fraudulent bank account activity is asked to call the Morro Bay Police Department at 805-772-6225.