Twin Peaks deputies arrested three High Desert residents outside a Crestline residence charging them with identity theft, possession of stolen property and/or possession of narcotics. *File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Crestline, CA – Three High Desert residents are facing identify theft, possession of stolen property and/or possession of narcotics following their arrest by Twin Peaks Sheriff’s deputies.
The call began about 7:40 a.m. with dispatchers being told one of the subjects was wearing a ski mask and was standing next to a suspicious vehicle, in the 600 block of Acacia Drive in Crestline.
THE INCIDENT
On July 30, deputies were led to the location after a witness called in to report a green older model, Nissan Sentra, was in front of a nearby residence.
Deputies arrived on scene and made contact with the three occupants of the vehicle, who were identified in a media release as Aidan Laurence Padilla, 25, from Adelanto; Samantha Elizabeth Pikop, 23, from Hesperia and Alexandra Roland, 22, from Victorville.
THE INVESTIGATION
Samantha Elizabeth Pikop (Contributed Photo)
Deputies discovered Pikop had four in county active warrants for her arrest. She was taken into custody and deputies searched the vehicle incident to her arrest.
During the search, deputies discovered several checkbooks with names on them which did not match any of the occupants of the vehicle. Deputies also located tax returns and other paperwork with names, and social security numbers on them.
CONTACT WITH VICTIMS
Officers also located a large amount of mail, belonging to the owners of the tax returns and paperwork, in the vehicle.
The media advisory shows that deputies contacted the three unidentified owners of the paperwork and checkbooks and discovered the three occupants did not have permission to be in possession of the items.
THE ARRESTS
Pikop and Padilla were arrested for P.C. 496(a), possession of stolen property and P.C. 530.5 identity theft. Padilla was transported and booked into the Central Detention Center and Pikop was transported to the West Valley Detention Center.
Roland was found to be in possession of a loaded syringe. The substance in the syringe field tested for methamphetamine. She was charged with H&S 11377, possession of a controlled substance and cite released.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Deputies believe Pikop and Padilla may be linked to burglaries in the mountain communities, as well as the High Desert.
Persons having further information regarding this case or additional crimes connected to Roland, Padilla and Pikop, are encouraged to contact the Twin Peaks Station at (909) 336-0600 or We Tip 1-800-78-CRIME.
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