Anaheim man arrested on credit card theft and fraud charges by the Tustin Police

A wanted suspect is behind bars after a follower of the Tustin Police Department’s Facebook page reported that the suspect was inside a local Costco today.

Tustin police officers quickly responded to the Costco and detained the suspect, Daniel Cordova of Anaheim, outside of the Costco today.

Cordova was arrested for the two prior identity theft cases. To the dismay of the police officers Cordova was also in possession of 14 additional credit cards. That’s approximately 14 more victims of fraud who were saved from a world of headaches with their banks today!

On September 27, 2024, and January 2, 2025, Cordova and a woman used stolen credit cards to purchase numerous items at a Costco.

The Tustin Police Department made Cordova the subject of their Felony Friday feature on Facebook and it worked!

If you have any more information about Cordova please contact Investigator Garzone at 714-426-2427 or jgarzone@tustinca.org.

In California, stealing credit cards and using them for purchases is considered a serious offense with significant penalties. Here’s a breakdown of the potential consequences:

Stealing Credit Cards

Under California Penal Code § 484e, stealing credit cards is a crime. The penalties can include:

• Misdemeanor or felony charges: Depending on the circumstances and the value involved1.
• Jail time: Up to one year for a misdemeanor, or 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years for a felony1.
• Fines: Up to $1,000 for a misdemeanor, or up to $10,000 for a felony.

Using Stolen Credit Cards

Using stolen credit cards to make purchases falls under California Penal Code § 484g. The penalties can include:

• Petty theft: If the total value of items obtained is $950 or less, it is considered petty theft, which is a misdemeanor. Penalties include up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.
• Grand theft: If the total value exceeds $950, it is considered grand theft, which can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Penalties include up to 1 year in county jail for a misdemeanor, or 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in jail for a felony, and/or fines up to $10,000.

Combined Penalties

Given the theft of 14 credit cards and their use for shopping at Costco, the combined penalties could be severe, especially if the total value of the purchases exceeds $950. The individual could face multiple felony charges, significant jail time, and substantial fines.

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Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions.

When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.