By G. T. Houts
Lake Arrowhead, CA – On Sunday, September 3, Lake Arrowhead Resort staff received an anonymous call to check on the guests in room #260, due to a possible disturbance in the room. Hotel staff contacted the Sheriff’s Department and requested their assistance. Deputies from the Twin Peaks Station responded to the location however, the occupants were no longer in the room. During the investigation, deputies recognized evidence of an identity theft operation inside the room.
Deputies located a large amount of stolen mail and dozens of credit cards that appeared to be fraudulently created. A credit card stamping machine, which stamps new credit card information on blank credit cards, was found in the room. Deputies learned the room was checked out to a factitious name, “Kevin Kanooni”. Deputies located numerous fraudulent credit cards found in the room with Kanooni’s name on it.
Through investigation and video surveillance, the suspect was positively identified as Jason Schoen, 37 years old of Canoga Park. Deputies contacted Schoen in the parking lot of the hotel near a Ford Mustang. Schoen ran away from deputies and, after a short foot pursuit, was detained. The ford Mustang was previously reported stolen, with Jason Schoen listed as the suspect. Additional fraudulent credit cards were found in the vehicle, along with Schoen’s personal belongings. Deputies also recovered 9mm ammunition in Schoen’s backpack. Schoen is a convicted felon and he is prohibited from possessing ammunition. Schoen was arrested and booked into Central Detention Center for identity theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, and felon in possession of ammunition.
Anyone with information about the case should contact the Twin Peaks Station (909) 336-0600. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to cal the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-Crime(27463) or you may leave information at the We-Tip website at http://www.wetip.com.