Santa Barbara Police arrest identity theft suspects in Long Beach

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Santa Barbara Police arrested two identity theft suspects in Santa Barbara Thursday.

Santa Barbara police arrested Michael Flitterman, 38, of Long Beach and Alexandra Pearl, 26, of Long Beach for several identity theft-related felonies.

On November 6, a Santa Barbara resident contacted the Santa Barbara Police Department to report the theft of a credit card from his mail.

The theft was captured on the resident's home surveillance camera.

Detectives began their investigation and discovered the suspect used the stolen credit card, as well as a second victim's identity, to purchase a high-end vehicle at a local dealership.

Detectives identified Flitterman and Pearl as the suspects. Police say they were experienced identity thieves.

Detectives served a search warrant in Long Beach with the assistance of the Long Beach Police Department.

In their search, police say they found an additional identity theft victim along with tools used to manufacture counterfeit identifications, credit cards, checks and other documents.

Police took Flitterman and Pearl into custody.

The Santa Barbara Police Department wants to remind its citizens to take precautions as mail thefts are prevalent.

They advise people to track important deliveries, request a delivery service to hold packages at the pick-up facility or minimize the amount of time mail is left in unsecured mailboxes.