OAKHURST – Two people were arrested early this week following a search that resulted in felony charges.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Madera County Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant on a residence in the 49000 block of Greenacre Drive, related to an on-going investigation in Eastern Madera County. Detectives have been conducting an investigation into a string of burglaries, identity theft and fraud dating back several months.
As a result of this investigation, the Sheriff’s Office reports that Oakhurst resident Jason Anthony Lagow, 32, was arrested on felony charges including 21 counts of Identity Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, and a Felon in Possession of Body Armor.
Oakhurst resident Sabrina Lynn Shanks, 25, was also arrested on a felony count of Identity Theft as well as being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Some of the evidence recovered includes a rifle, a handgun, body armor, methamphetamine, counterfeit U.S. currency, credit card embossing machines, stolen prescription medication, stolen property from the Pines Resort, burglary tools, and stolen computers, as well as stolen personal identifying information from a number of victims, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“The sophistication of property and identity criminals continues to expand,” says Madera County Sheriff Jay Varney. “Despite the weakening of our laws through Proposition 47, the officers and detectives in this case persevered to make the best case possible against these criminals who were abusing the property and identity of our mountain residents.”
Sheriff’s detectives are continuing to work on this case and say they expect to find more victims of identity theft as the evidence is examined. More arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
