Simi Valley transient accused of identity theft, fraud

A 58-year-old Simi Valley transient is accused of stealing several people's identities and using false checks, police said.

Police said Grant Lind passed a fraudulent check Feb. 7 at a check-cashing business in Simi Valley. Detectives conducted an investigation and received information Saturday on where to find Lind. He was arrested on suspicion of burglary, forgery, identity theft and check fraud, police said.

Lind was in possession of numerous fraudulent checks, hundreds of forged U.S. Postal Service money orders, and stolen personal identification from numerous Simi Valley and Los Angeles County residents, authorities said.

Police think Lind might have stolen mail, broken into storage facilities and found information in trash. Simi Valley police have teamed up with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Secret Service to investigate the crimes.

Police urge residents to be mindful of their personal information and shred documents containing personal information before throwing them away. Police also suggest residents use a mailbox that can be locked.

Anyone with information is urged to call police at 583-6950. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers tip line at 800-222-TIPS.