Man Arrested for Stealing Wallets from Surfers' Cars $150K Identity Theft, Say Police

A 21-year-old Hawthorne man suspected of stealing wallets and cell phones from the parked vehicles of surfers and then using victims’ credit cards to ring up more than $150,000 in purchases and ATM withdrawals was arrested today by Manhattan Beach police detectives.

Jordan Adams allegedly located keys hidden outside of vehicles before entering them, Manhattan Beach police Sgt. Paul Ford said.

The crimes of which he is accused occurred between Nov. 30 and March 21, Ford said.

In addition to over $150,000 in actual losses, more than $40,000 worth of charges were declined, the sergeant said.

An arrest warrant accusing Adams of 12 felony counts of identity theft was obtained by detectives on May 28 and Adams was arrested today as he exited a Hawthorne residence, Ford said.

A search warrant also was served at the residence and on Adams’ vehicle, Ford said.

Police say that once Adams got the credit cards, he immediately used them at local bank ATMs as well as Target, Best Buy and Macy’s stores.

The Los Angeles field office of the U.S. Secret Service assisted in the investigation, police said.

City News Service

Photo: Jordan Adams mugshot courtesy of the Manhattan Beach Police Department