Sunnyvale Suspect Million Dollar Crime Spree: In the South Bay, authorities apprehended John Mahoni on Thursday, implicated in a sophisticated $1 million check fraud and identity theft operation. San Jose police disclosed the arrest, the culmination of an investigation into a series of cases that commenced in May 2022.
The Burglary and Financial Crimes Unit unraveled a complex web of identity theft and check fraud, causing losses exceeding $1 million for multiple victims. The alleged crime ring, involved in altering money orders, printing fraudulent checks, and pilfering personal checks, redirected the proceeds toward acquiring firearms, drugs, and jewelry.
John Mahoni was the main suspect, and detectives obtained a $1 million warrant and a home search warrant. The Covert Response Unit, Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Postal Inspectors arrested Mahoni on Thursday. The arrest revealed Mahoni in possession of a loaded “ghost gun” with an extended magazine.
Executing a warrant at Mahoni’s residence uncovered a cache of items, including a short-barreled assault rifle, an unregistered pistol with extended magazines, ammunition, cash, jewelry, 100 altered money orders, and over 600 checks belonging to victims.
Mahoni faces charges related to the warrant and felony weapons offenses. He is currently held without bail, with a scheduled court appearance on Tuesday. Authorities urge anyone with information on these cases or similar incidents to contact Detective Wellman of the Financial Crimes and Burglary Unit via email.
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