Identity Theft Suspect Arrested in Standoff

A stolen lap top computer led a Crescenta Valley Sheriff's detective to a La Cañada residence last Thursday morning that housed numerous identity theft tools including a credit card making machine. The man at the house, who was arrested and charged with 15 felony counts, may have been in the identity theft business for years, according to a CV Sheriff's detective.

The event began to unfold at 7:40 a.m. when the detective went to a home in the 4500 block of Rockland Place in La Cañada near the Big Lots store.

According to the detective, he was led to the home after a purchase was made online using an identity stolen from a La Cañada woman who had her lap top computer taken from her vehicle. The lap top contained personal and financial information. The detective found that someone used that information to purchase an engagement ring online and had the ring mailed to the home on Rockland.

According to the detective, he knocked on the door of the residence on Rockland and Ronald Young, 46, answered. The detective recognized him from another burglary and fictitious check case he had investigated in the past. He asked Young if anyone else was at the home and Young told him that Donald Reade, 25, from Reseda was staying there.

Reade was found to have two illegal drug related warrants out for his arrest that totaled over $80,000. The detective arrested Reade, and continued looking around the home. He found the stolen lap top computer as well as other items used in identity theft crimes. He also discovered a black handbag and several wallets sitting near a trash can in the front of the house. The credit cards and information in the wallets did not match Young or Reade.

"Nothing belonged to him [Young]," said the detective.

During the investigation, Young told the detective that he had two other guests living in a motor home that was parked in his driveway. The detective attempted to make contact with the occupants of the motor home, with no response. Back-up law enforcement arrived and also attempted to ask the occupants to vacate, but there was still no response. Sheriff deputies cordoned off the parking lot at Big Lots, preventing anyone from entering or exiting the area. A Sheriff's department helicopter circled the area, broadcasting a continuous announcement advising the individuals in the motor home to exit.