CLEARLAKE — Clearlake Police made an arrest Thursday in connection to property that was stolen in April. Amber Melissa Sarahgina, 36, of Clearlake was arrested on burglary and forgery charges.
According to Sgt. R. Joseph, on April 18, the police were notified of a woman in the Taco Bell drive-thru attempting purchase with a credit card that was reported lost or stolen. Joseph said when the Taco Bell employee ran the card it came back with hold on it. The employee asked the customer for identification, which she provided. However, Joseph said the name on the identification matched the credit card but the picture did not match the person who was trying to use it.
Joseph said that when the employee went to notify the restaurant manager, the woman, who had already received the beverage in her order, drove away. Authorities were requested and the area was search; however, the blue van described as the suspect vehicle was not located.
On Wednesday, just before 11 p.m. the same employee reported the suspect vehicle back in the Taco Bell drive-thru. Joseph said he happened to be driving by the restaurant at the time of the call and was able to locate the vehicle matching the description provided by the witness. He said he conducted a traffic stop based on the information reported in the April crime.
Joseph said positive identification was made identifying Sarahgina as the same woman who attempted to pay via the stolen credit card in April. He said the victim, whose property was lost or stolen was contacted and confirmed that she did not know Sarahgina and that the woman had to reason to be in possession of her property.
Joseph said Sarahgina later admitted that she found the wallet that contained the victim”s identification, credit cards and other property and that she had used the items.
Joseph said that the department has received other reports of use of the lost or stolen credit card and Officer A. Jones is continuing a separate investigation that may lead to additional charges against Sarahgina.
Sarahgina was booked into Lake County Jail early Thursday morning for felony burglary, theft by forgery, receiving known stolen property, getting credit with other”s identification and for driving on a suspended license.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call directly at 994-6444, ext. 14.
