Deputies investigating a case of credit card fraud arrested three people Monday, and referred two others to the district attorney’s office for prosecution. Following a tip, deputies went to a home in the 7100 block of Saddleback Road in Joshua Tree about 9:30 Monday morning where they found Monique Reid, 38, of Yucca Valley, and Gavin Nuce, 35, of Joshua Tree. Inside the home was evidence linking the pair to the fraudulent use of a stolen credit card. While at the home, deputies also discovered Michael Pilipovich, 34, of Yucca Valley hiding. Pilipovich has an active warrant for his arrest for robbery. The investigation then led the deputies to the 61900 block of Desert Air in Joshua Tree where they found Sara Korhonen, 40, and Ronald Dick, 44, both of Joshua Tree, along with evidence linking them to the same credit card fraud. Deputies determined that Reid, Nuce, Dick,
and Korhonen conspired to use the victim’s credit card, and used it to make several purchases at Home Depot in Yucca Valley to the tune of more than
$800. Monique Reid and Sara Korhonen were arrested for investigation of burglary, conspiracy, and fraudulent use of a credit card, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with their bail set at $25,000. Michael Pilipovich was arrested for his burglary warrant with his bail set at $250,000. Deputies forwarded information about Ronald Dick and Gavin Nuce’s involvement to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.
THREE ARRESTED IN ONGOING STOLEN CREDIT CARD INVESTIGATION
