DSA In the News

Man arrested for sister's personal information to open credit card account

A man arrested Jan. 27 for suspected identity theft is believed to have tried to open a credit card account using his sister’s personal information, a San Mateo County sheriff’s spokesman said Thursday.

The sheriff’s rapid enforcement allied computer team began its investigation on Dec. 13 when a San Carlos woman reported that a bank had called her and asked if she had recently opened a credit card account, Lt. Ray Lunny said.

The investigation by the bank’s fraud unit and the sheriff’s team led to a search warrant being issued for the San Jose home of the victim’s brother and his accomplice, Lunny said.

The two suspects, later identified as 52-year-old Rodrigo Raquedan and 32-year-old Gayla Sandiego, were arrested last Thursday at their residence in the 1300 block of Old Stone Way, according to the sheriff’s office.

Five individuals found in the residence at the time the warrant was served were arrested for various drug possession and parole violation offenses, according to the sheriff’s office.

Raquedan and Sandiego, both suspected of stealing approximately $2,700, were charged with conspiracy, identity theft and grand theft.

They remain in custody on $100,000 bail.