A detective with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station has a suspect in custody who is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from women by taking their identities and withdrawing cash and to make big purchases.

Pilar Abalos, 42, of San Diego, had a $220,000 warrant out for her arrest on burglary and identity theft charges.

“Through hours of investigation and diligent police work, a detective with the Sheriff’s Department was able to catch this suspect who is thought to have scammed thousands of dollars from victims throughout Southern California, including the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Deputy Josh Dubin of the SCV Sheriff’s Station.

Abalos is currently being held on $220,000 bail at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

She was booked there at 12:52 p.m. Saturday, according to arrest records. A Sheriff’s Department spokesman for the Lynwood facility could not identify the arresting agency.

This is the second arrest in the case.

On Feb. 5, deputies with the SCV Sheriff’s Station arrested Valerie Lynne Ray, 54, of Los Angeles, on charges related to three local incidents.

Detectives believe Ray is the person who physically stole the wallets, and Abalos then used her likeness to commit identity fraud and steal large amounts of money.

Ray is being charged with six counts in connection with a crime ring that believed to have stolen from Crescenta Valley, Ventura County and local residents, said Dubin.

“We believe the woman we have in custody is the woman who physically stole the wallets and IDs,” Dubin said. “She then gave those IDs and wallets to the (person of interest).”

Dubin added that there are likely additional counts pending from other cities.

“The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station detective assigned to investigate this incident partnered with neighboring law enforcement agencies, local news media and the community we serve in order to solve this case,” Dubin said.

Read previous story [here].