'Prolific' Identity Thief Arrested In Petaluma, Police Say

PETALUMA, CA — An East Bay man with a prolific past of criminal activity involving identity theft and forgery was arrested Sunday night in Petaluma after an officer observed him passed out in a car at a local gas station, an official with the Petaluma Police Department said.

At 9:51 p.m. Sunday, the officer noticed an early-2000s model Acura without license plates parked at a gas pump at 801 E. Washington St.; suspecting the car may be stolen, the officer began surveillance, Petaluma police Sgt. Lance Novello said in a news release.

After the car remained parked at the pump for well over 30 minutes, the officer decided to make contact with the driver, Novello said.

With the car still running and the transmission in drive, the driver, later identified as 47-year-old Pittsburg resident Jaime Domingo Flores, had his foot on the brake and was "passed out with drug paraphernalia visible on the console," Novello said.

Awoken by the officer, Flores reportedly admitted to drug use.

At that point, the officer conducted a search of the car which allegedly yielded shaved keys used to steal vehicles, burglary tools, a holstered replica pistol and numerous handbags and purses containing an extensive amount of personal identifying information such as credit scores, checkbooks, various government-issued identification cards and mail from outside of Sonoma County.

"None of the items were in Flores’ name," Novello said.

Flores also allegedly had a computer and printer believed to contain digital evidence of potential identity theft, police said.

Upon running a records check, the officer learned Flores has an extensive criminal history, with his past convictions including identity theft and forgery, Novello said.

Flores was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property and burglary tools.

All the items allegedly found in Flores' car were seized and are being analyzed, according to police.

"An extensive amount of follow-up with potential victims of identity theft is being performed as well, which will most likely lead to further criminal charges," Novello said.