Paso Robles police nab couple on crime spree

July 3, 2019

A sting involving undercover officers and a helicopter enabled Paso Robles police to nab a Central Valley couple on Tuesday who had allegedly been stealing credit cards. [Cal Coast Times]

On Saturday, the couple from Coalinga tried to make a purchase at Kohl’s in Paso Robles using a stolen credit card. The purchase was denied, and the man and woman quickly left the store in a red car, according to the Paso Robles Police Department.

Investigators were able to link the couple to several frauds conducted at other San Luis Obispo County retailers. Paso Robles officers tied a vehicle stolen out of Coalinga to one of the incidents.

On Tuesday, officers located the stolen car parked outside JC Penny’s. Officers found the two suspects inside the store attempting to make another purchase with a stolen credit card.

While CHP personnel in a helicopter kept an eye on the stolen vehicle from above, undercover officers watched the suspects inside the store.

Again, the transaction was denied when the couple tried to make a purchase. The man and woman left the store and tried to drive away, but officers stopped their vehicle within seconds, with assistance from the CHP helicopter.

Police searched the vehicle and found numerous credit cards, checks, driver’s licenses, stolen mail and drug paraphernalia.

Officers arrested 36-year-old Sara Dugan and 30-year-old Pedro Murillo and booked them into the San Luis Obispo County Jail. Police charged Dugan with conspiracy, possession of a stolen vehicle, fraudulent use of a credit card, mail theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and having a felony warrant out of Kings County. Murillo was charged with conspiracy, possession of a stolen vehicle, mail theft and having three felony warrants out of Kings County.

Dugan remains in custody with her bail set at $20,000. Murillo, who faces additional charges, remains in jail with his bail set at $55,000.