Three arrested after Auburn AM-PM theft leads to identity theft, drug bust
Three Sacramento-area residents were arrested by Placer County deputies on Monday on suspicion of stealing from an AM-PM mini-mart in Auburn.
In a news release, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said Angela Sidey, 40, Alexander Wright, 35, and Lois Lynn Mataafa, 40, all of whom were from Sacramento County, were arrested on suspicion of theft and drug charges.
A woman was previously caught on camera at the AM-PM, located on Lincoln Way in Auburn, filling up a container with $200 worth of products in the store. Then, a man came in and joined her.
The pair attempted to pay for the items, but both of their cards were declined, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The man then decided to take the haul of AM-PM goods out to a car waiting in the parking lot without paying for them.
Placer County deputies, responding to the AM-PM clerk’s 911 call, found the car at a gas station in Colfax. Sidey, the driver of the car, had an outstanding warrant in San Joaquin County and had an expired driver’s license. Mataafa had two outstanding warrants from Sacramento County and was also on post-release supervision following a prior incarceration. Wright, meanwhile, was on probation for a Sacramento County offense.
Deputies searching the vehicle found the stolen items, 18 blank credit cards, a card cutting-device, a notebook full of bank account information, two stolen checkbooks, a stolen wallet and 29 pills of ecstasy.
Sidey, Mataafa and Wright were all arrested and taken to the Placer County jail in Auburn. While awaiting booking, Sidey tossed a stolen driver’s license and a social security card into a jail trash can. During a search of Mataafa, a correctional officer found three baggies of methamphetamine.
All three were charged with petty theft and conspiracy, but Sidey was also charged with identity theft, concealing evidence and driving on a suspended license. Wright and Mataafa were also charged with drug possession.
Sidey and Mataafa are both being held without bail.