Crime & Safety

Identity Theft Suspect Rips Off Officer, Faces $2.8 Million Bail

It's not a mistake or typo, Livermore resident Joshua Wayne Miller's long list of crimes — including stealing the identity of a Union City police officer — have added up to a hefty bail of $2.8 million.

Livermore resident Joshua Wayne Miller picked the wrong mark to target in his alleged identity theft spree.

Miller, 32, was on multiple fraud and theft charges and is in custody at Santa Rita Jail with a hefty bail of $2.8 million, according to county records. 

Among his lengthy list of alleged charges are: vehicle theft; burglary; identity theft; access-card fraud; forgery; making fake checks; and possession of stolen property, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office data.

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Miller was apprehended by Union City officers March 20 at 3 p.m. on the 900 block of North Canyon Drive in Livermore, records state. He had a stolen vehicle from Union City in his possession at the time of the arrest, Union City police said.

According to Cmdr. Ben Horner of the Union City Police Department, Miller was on a crime spree throughout Alameda County and ran a sophisticated fraud operation that involved stealing mail out of mailboxes to create identity theft opportunities.

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Among his victims was a Union City police officer, which is how the case came to the local police agency’s attention, Horner said.

“Often these types of criminals move to different jurisdictions to try and stay ahead of law enforcement,” Horner said.

Miller allegedly made multiple fraudulent credit card purchases throughout the region with the officer’s identity.

Livermore resident Joshua Wayne Miller picked the wrong mark to target in his alleged identity theft spree.

Miller, 32, was on multiple fraud and theft charges and is in custody at Santa Rita Jail with a hefty bail of $2.8 million, according to county records. 

Among his lengthy list of alleged charges are: vehicle theft; burglary; identity theft; access-card fraud; forgery; making fake checks; and possession of stolen property, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office data.

Miller was apprehended by Union City officers March 20 at 3 p.m. on the 900 block of North Canyon Drive in Livermore, records state. He had a stolen vehicle from Union City in his possession at the time of the arrest, Union City police said.

According to Cmdr. Ben Horner of the Union City Police Department, Miller was on a crime spree throughout Alameda County and ran a sophisticated fraud operation that involved stealing mail out of mailboxes to create identity theft opportunities.

Among his victims was a Union City police officer, which is how the case came to the local police agency’s attention, Horner said.

“Often these types of criminals move to different jurisdictions to try and stay ahead of law enforcement,” Horner said.

Miller allegedly made multiple fraudulent credit card purchases throughout the region with the officer’s identity.

Horner said Miller’s high bail may be due to the seriousness and increasing prevalence of identity theft crimes.

“I think everyone’s fed up with this type of behavior,” Horner said. “We’re taking it very serious because of the damage it can do to victims’ lives.”

“Sometimes you can never repair the damage,” he added.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Miller is scheduled to appear at the Fremont Hall of Justice Thursday at 9 a.m. for arraignment and plea entry.

Livermore Patch contributor Susan Schena contributed to this report.


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