Oxnard Suspects Arrested for Numerous Identity Thefts

By the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

Report Number: RB # 23-91953 / 23-97945
Location: Numerous Location throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Date & Time: June through July of 2023
Suspect 1: Jose Puga, 32, Oxnard
Suspect 2: Alonzo Rodriguez, 42, Oxnard

Two Oxnard residents who are convicted felons were arrested for identity theft involving numerous victims throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

During the month of July 2023, a victim residing in the city of Fillmore reported being the victim of an identity theft.  A deputy assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station responded and an investigation began.  The victim was alerted by her financial institution that numerous credit cards were obtained, purchases were made, and suspicious activity occurred with the use of the victim’s personal identifying information.  These charges and activity were deemed to be fraudulent.    

Fillmore station detectives conducted follow-up investigation and evidence was collected identifying Oxnard resident Jose Puga as a person of interest.  In addition to the fraudulent activity, it was discovered that the suspect(s) also ordered approximately $1,400.00 worth of various merchandise which was delivered to a residence located at the 1900 block of Socorro Way in the city of Oxnard. 

Fillmore detectives collected more evidence implicating Puga as the suspect.  Puga has an extensive criminal record and he is currently on probation for crimes involving identity theft.  During this initial investigation, Puga was subsequently arrested for a probation violation related to this case involving illegal possession of identity theft related documents.  He was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. 

Detectives identified several victims of identity theft committed by Puga.  On July 31, 2023, detectives conducted a probation search at Puga’s residence in the 1900 block of Socorro Way in Oxnard.  During the search, detectives located and recovered numerous items that had been fraudulently purchased and delivered to Puga’s residence using a victim’s personal identifying information.

While at the location, detectives contacted resident Alonzo Rodriguez who is also on probation with a lengthy criminal record for identity theft related crimes. 

Detectives located identity theft related documents implicating Rodriguez as an additional suspect in this case including additional victims and more stolen California driver licenses, stolen checks, cashier checks, and stolen gift cards.  These victims resided throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.    

Rodriguez was taken into custody.  He was subsequently transported and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention facility for felony identity theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, and a no bail probation violation where he remains in custody.  Puga was supplementally charged with an additional count of identity theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of stolen property.  Puga remains in custody with a no bail probation violation.  

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to increasing and strengthening community partnerships and utilizing technologies and evidence-based practices to enhance collaborative efforts at reducing crime and improving public safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.  If anyone has additional information involving these suspects, they are urged to contact the Fillmore Station detectives at the below listed numbers.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would also like to remind citizens to be aware of loose mail placed in unlocked mailboxes and theft of mail left in unlocked mailboxes for extended time periods.  Please remember that Postal Inspectors across the country work hard to protect your mail. But with deliveries to more than 100 million addresses, the Postal Inspection Service can’t do the job alone.  You can protect your mail from thieves by remembering to pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.  This diligence will assist in the prevention of becoming a victim of identity theft.   

If you see or suspect a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately 9-1-1, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 and (press 3) or visit the below listed website.