HLR Media
6 | JUNE 24, 2013 - june 30, 2013
5 people arrested for $200K Macy’s gift card fraud scheme On January 25, 2012, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Richard Reyes Duenas with one count of Grand Theft, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Fraud, three counts of Acquiring Access Card Account Information to Commit Grand Theft and nine counts of Access Card Forgery in connection with Gift Card Fraud associated with Macy’s Department Store. The Los Angeles County Superior Court case number is BA392815. A subsequent investigation determined that Richard Reyes Duenas was obtaining Macy’s Department Store gift card account numbers and associated PIN codes, which he utilized to prepare forged Macy’s gift cards, via inactive Macy’s gift cards stolen from Macy’s Department Stores. The forged Macy’s Department Store gift cards were sold at street level to consumers by Richard Reyes Duenas’ associates. The fraudulent gift cards were also utilized by Richard Reyes Duenas, and his associates, to make Macy’s Department Store pur-
chases of Apple electronics. Richard Reyes Duenas had been connected to the theft of approximately $218,000 in Macy’s Department Store gift card dollars. A total of 41 Macy’s Department Stores were targeted, ranging from the Oakland area to San Diego. The city locations: Los Angeles, Burbank, Chula Vista, Torrance, El Cajon, San Diego, Culver City, Glendale, Santa Barbara, Laguna Hills, Lakewood, North Hollywood, Cerritos, Manhattan Beach, Mission Viejo, Montclair, Montebello, Newport Beach, Escondido, Northridge, National City, Pleasanton, City of Industry, San Bernardino, Daly City, Redondo Beach, Costa Mesa, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Thousand Oaks, Canoga Park, La Jolla, Ventura, Rancho Cucamonga, and Woodland Hills. Four associates of Richard Duenas were arrested and charged in 2012. They include Brent Justin Delgadillo, charged with one count Grand Theft, one count Conspiracy to Commit Fraud, and ten counts Access Card Forgery; No-
emi Fuentefria, charged with one count Grand Theft, one count Conspiracy to Commit Fraud, seven counts Access Card Forgery, and one count Access Card Sales; Geovani Vega, charged with one count Grand Theft, one count Conspiracy, four counts Access Card Forgery and one count of Acquiring Access Card Account Information to Commit Grand Theft; and Daniel Alvarez, charged with one count Grand Theft and one count Conspiracy. Between the dates of May 16 -17, 2012 all four associates were arrested and have been successfully prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Richard Reyes Duenas waived extradition and was subsequently transported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Walnut Sheriff’s Station, where he was booked on June 19, 2013 for the indicated charges. Anyone with information or questions regarding this case is asked to contact Detective R. Barton at (562) 946-7217.
congratulations
to our weekly readers’ choice winner
chris
has won a gift certificate to Alexander’s Prime Meats
remember to keep voting for your favorite San Gabriel Valley businesses
on page 2 or online at beaconmedianews.com/readerschoice
Home prices have soared nearly 29 percent The real estate market in California is moving once again with the median home price for single family residences now above $400,000 in April for the first time in many years, according to a report published by the California Association of Realtors. The median home price in the state is now $402,760. That is up from $378,960, or 6.3 percent, from a month earlier, according to the report. But even more astonishing is the fact that home prices have soared nearly 29 percent since a year ago in April 2012. At that time the median home price statewide was $312,500, according to the report. In addition, sales of homes were up 1.3 percent in April over a month earlier. However, most like due to the increase in price, sales were down over the previous year 3.7 percent, according to the report. Looking at the Los An-
By SHEL SEGAL geles Metropolitan Area, the median home price for single family residences crept over the $370,000 mark in April, up nearly 28 percent from a year earlier when it sat just under $290,000. It was also up 5 percent over March’s amount of $352,510, according to the report. Sales were also higher than a year ago, increasing 2.2 percent, and were higher than the previous month, rising a whopping 6 percent in one month, according to the report. Houses statewide are also on the market fewer days than they were a year ago, down from 48 days to about 28 days, according to the report. In the LA area, those numbers change from 54.8 to 35.2. Ray Wells, a real estate agent with Teles Properties who does a lot of business in San Gabriel, said it’s just old fashioned economics driving the market.
“We’re seeing such limited inventory,” Wells said. “It’s a situation where the sellers who couldn’t sell a couple of years ago because of being upside down definitely can now. It’s amazing how fast it’s happened, but it’s truly supply and demand.” But he said there are other factors at work as well. “Along with lower interest rates, you’re also seeing Pacific Rim money coming into play,” Wells said. “They’re seeing the United States as being a safe place to put their money and it’s good for our economy.” In addition, Wells said the rapid rise in prices shouldn’t look troublesome to anyone. “It’s not like last time where you had people getting unqualified loans,” he said. “These are qualified people getting qualified loans. I don’t believe we’re looking at a bubble here.”
Historic Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena open to the public - June 30th Enjoy the peace of this 2-acre “stroll garden” on the last Sunday of every month from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This month, experts in the ancient art of
origami will again be on hand to offer instructions for making the delicate folds that create paper treasures. Admission: $7.50
with reservations, $10 at the gate. For reservations, email info@japanesegardenpasadena.com. The garden is located at 270 Arlington Drive, Pasadena
Freelance Freelance Reporters Reporters
WANTED HLR Media is growing and seeking writers for general assignment news, stories and articles in the San Gabriel Valley in the Los Angeles area. The successful applicants will be assigned 2-3 stories a week with the possibility of many more assignments depending on experience and needs throughout the week. Please send resume with at least two writing samples to: tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
No Phone Calls Please.