The Maricopa County Criminal Employment Unit arrested an identity theft/forgery suspect at Red Robin located at 3420 W Chandler Blvd in Chandler and served a search warrant at Thunder Pass Food and Spirits located at 9303 E. Main Street in Mesa.
In November 2013, a detective of the Sheriff’s Criminal Employment Unit began an investigation into the possible theft of a male victim’s identity. The identity theft was discovered when the victim in the case began receiving notices from the Internal Revenue Service that he had unpaid taxes. The victim found that an individual was employed using his information and creating additional tax liability. During the investigation, detectives subpoenaed the employee file for the victim as well as obtained a copy of the Maricopa County Food Handlers card showing the fraudulent name.
The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Joaquin Venacio Cabrera (7-27-92). He was arrested at the Red Robin and booked in the 4th Avenue Jail on five counts of aggravated ID theft and five counts of forgery.
In November 2013, another detective from the Criminal Employment Unit began an investigation into the possible theft of a second male victim’s identity. The identity theft was discovered when the victim was denied Social Security benefits due to someone using his identify for employment. During the investigation, the Sheriff’s detective reviewed Government and Law Enforcement databases and discovered the suspect was working at Thunder Pass Food and Spirits in Mesa.
Sheriff detectives arrested 39-year-old Eduardo Canella Mexicano (1-21-75) for two counts of ID theft and 2 counts of forgery. During an interview with Sheriff’s detectives, Mexicano admitted to being in the country illegally. Mexicano said he had been living in the county for 12 years and paid $5000 to cross the border.
Detectives also arrested 29-year-old Isidro Hilario Carcano (1-14-85). Carcano was found to be working under a false ID. He was charged with Criminal impersonation.
“This is our fifth criminal employment operation in the last 30 days involving five different business establishments with employees using false identifications,” said Arpaio. “We will continue to crack down on this type of illegal activity. Expect more to come.”
On January 22, 2014, the owners of Uncle Sam’s were taken into custody by deputies for their involvement in the trafficking of stolen ID’s. On January 29, 2014, a suspect was arrested at a Chili’s restaurant in Mesa, and two suspects were arrested at Arizona Shower Door, on charges involving identity theft.
The operations today at Red Robin and Thunder Pass Food & Spirit represent the 78th and 79th criminal employment operations conducted by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. Red Robin is a national gourmet burger chain. According to its website, Thunder Pass Food & Spirit was voted Best Country-Western Bar in 2008 by the Phoenix New Times.