Malibu "Con Man" In Custody For Identity Theft: Police

MALIBU, CA – A "sophisticated con man" from Malibu is in custody in Ventura County on suspicion of check fraud and identity theft, according to police, and detectives Wednesday urged possible victims to contact them. Cedric Frierson, 42, was taken into custody on July 18 by Ventura County and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies after he skipped bail following his arrest for check fraud in June by posting a fraudulent cashier's check, said Detective Timothy Lohman of the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

The investigation began on April 24, when Thousand Oaks patrol deputies went to DCH Ford in Thousand Oaks on a report of a forgery and unlawful taking of a vehicle.

"The dealership reported the suspect provided three separate counterfeit checks ... (and) took possession of a 2014 Toyota 4-Runner with a value of more than $41,000," according to a police statement. "The reporting deputy learned the suspect had identified himself as Cedric Yearwood."

Investigators determined that the suspect's real name was Cedric Frierson, and that he had allegedly passed counterfeit cashier's checks at various businesses in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including three car dealerships.

When Frierson was initially arrested on June 19, investigators allegedly found counterfeit cashier's checks in his possession.

He was booked at the Ventura County Main Jail and released a few days later after posting bail with what turned out to be a counterfeit cashier's check, according to Lohman.

"Detectives determined Frierson had developed a sophisticated con man persona, along with a fraudulent real estate company, TVD Properties or The Valley Discount Properties, and website as part of his con," police allege.

Investigators tracked him down again, and he was re-arrested in mid-July. He remains in custody in Ventura County on $1.4 million bail and a fugitive warrant out of Florida.

Anyone with more information on the case was urged to call Detective Paul Ferruzza (805) 494-8231.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock