A Yucca Valley man, suspected of using the Social Security number of a Massachusetts man who has a similar name, was arrested Wednesday. Sheriff’s deputies say that they were contacted by police detectives from Wellesley, Massachusetts, last Thursday, January 17, about a case of identity fraud. Wellesley police believed that Derek P. Burnham, 30, of Yucca Valley was using his name but the Social Security number of Derek I. Burnham of Wellesley. On Wednesday, Morongo Basin detectives served a search warrant on Burnham’s home in the 7500 block of Apache Trail in Yucca Valley. There they found extensive evidence of identity theft, controlled substances, and a pick-up truck that had been purchased by using fraudulent information. Derek Burnham was arrested for investigation of identity theft, vehicle theft, possession of controlled substance, and on an outstanding felony warrant for previous identity theft. Burnham was booked into West Valley Detention Center with his bail set at $50,000. The pick-up truck was returned to the dealership.
