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   You can run but you can’t hide from the long electronic arm of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s website at SCVSheriff.com and the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s Detective Bureau - Burglary/Fraud Team. Created in partnership with the City of Santa Clarita, and launched in September of 2007, SCVSheriff.com has again aided station detectives by leading to the identification of four individuals suspected in two ARCO “PayQuick Island Cashier” (PIC) machine thefts, which occurred in Newhall and the unincorporated area of Stevenson Ranch, on Thursday and Friday, January 18th and 19th. Click here to read the initial post. 

Details of the crime were initially posted on the “News Room” portion of the SCVSheriff.com website on January 18th, and video stills of the suspects, who were wanted for questioning, were also added to the “Most Wanted” portion of the website. The same day of the posting, an anonymous person from another area of California saw the information on the SCVSheriff.com website, called the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station directly, and positively identified four suspects.

Good old-fashioned police work did the rest in furthering the investigation.  Led by Detective Steve McCauley, detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s Burglary/Fraud Team, in conjunction with ARCO’s Retail Security Team, determined these same suspects may be responsible for as many as 80 other similar PIC thefts and attempts, which have occurred in other cities throughout the State of California, from San Diego to Sacramento, dating back to January 2007.  It should be noted that these incidents involve the theft of cash only from the PIC machines and no credit or debit card information has been jeopardized or stolen in relation to these cases.

The list of areas and cities where similar crimes have occurred is as follows:  San Diego, Moreno, Lodi, Grass Valley, Ceres, Citrus Heights, Long Beach, Merced, Turlock, Riverbank, Salide, Manteca, Kingsburg, Fremont, Tulare, Oakland, Sacramento, Fairfield, Redding, Bakersfield, Madera, Santa Nella, Stockton, Fresno, Modesto, Rocklin, San Leandro, Hayward, Yuba City, Brentwood, San Jose, Milpitas, Foster City, Castro Valley, Santa Clarita, Santa Clara, North Highlands, Newhall, Redwood City, Mountain View, Studio City, Ceres, Riverbank, Oakdale, Desert Hot Springs, Calimesa, Cabazon, Danville, Salinas and Las Vegas Nevada.

On Friday, February 8th, 2008, detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station went to Central California and, in conjunction with Turlock Police Department, served a search warrant on a location in the City of Turlock.  At the location, detectives questioned two suspects who were directly involved with the Santa Clarita Valley thefts.  SCV Detectives also recovered evidence directly connected to the crimes.  The detectives were also able to obtain information about two primary suspects who may have direct involvement with many of the thefts throughout the state.

The suspects who are now being sought for questioning in connection with these crimes are Robert Jesse Miller, MW/09-23-1963, and Rhonda Rene Silva, FW/06-24-1958.  The suspects may be driving a red Nissan Pathfinder, CA License #8K65969 or a red mini-van. 

The investigation is continuing into these statewide thefts, and now that these suspects have been identified, detectives from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station are seeking public assistance in determining their whereabouts in the state.  Detectives believe they may currently be in the northern California area of Salinas, as the latest theft occurred on February 13th in that area.  It is believed the suspects also frequently visit casinos throughout the state.

SCV Detectives would like to thank ARCO for their aggressive efforts toward resolving these cases.  ARCO has maintained solid investigative efforts and unwavering support throughout every phase of this ongoing investigation and authorities attempts to bring this crime spree to an end.

For additional information visit the following link: “SCV Sheriff Most Wanted”  or read the following Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Bulletin.

Press inquiries should be directed to Sergeant Harris of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at (661) 799-5814 or ARCO Spokesperson Todd Spitler at (714) 228-6717.  Please do not contact the detective directly unless you have information pertaining to the crimes.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes, similar crimes in their jurisdiction, or the whereabouts of these individuals should contact Detective Steve McCauley at (661) 799-5138 or the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121.  You can also use the anonymous “We Tip” line listed below.

If You See Something, Say Something!  Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.