Tow truck driver arrested for allegedly stealing credit card from man who had his vehicle impounded by CHP officers - SGVTribune.com

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Officials said Thursday a tow truck driver has been arrested on suspicion that he stole a credit card from an impounded car and used it to buy $464 in merchandise from a law enforcement supply company.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies Wednesday arrested tow truck driver David Rivera of Bellflower on suspicion of theft, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Bob Carr said. The arrest follows separate investigations by the California Highway Patrol and Sheriff's Department into claims a man who CHP officers arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in March had his credit card stolen and billed for $464 in goods from a law enforcement supply company, officials said.

The items were ordered by phone and mailed to a home in Bellflower, officials said.

CHP investigators discovered the merchandise was delivered to Rivera's home and told the Sheriff's Department, CHP Officer Luis Mendoza said.

"I'm very relieved the police had nothing to do with this," said Philip Dub , director of the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Metro Office.

"I appreciate the fact officers investigated this and solved it very quickly," he said. Rivera, 33, worked as a tow truck driver for H&L Towing, authorities said.

Based in South Gate, the company is contracted to tow vehicles for the CHP, said H&L Towing's owner, Hector Urzua. Two weeks after he was first employed by the company on March 5, Rivera allegedly stole the credit card of Luis Gonzalez, Urzua said. Gonzalez was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving by CHP officers on March 21, according to officials. Rivera towed Gonzalez's car, Urzua said.

Urzua said he fired Rivera on Wednesday after he learned about the alleged theft."He was fired because he was stealing things from cars," Urzua said.A day after Gonzalez was arrested, his credit card was used to order four pairs of boots and other items from a Cerritos-based company that supplies goods to law enforcement officials, Gonzalez and officials said. Urzua said his company has not received any other reports of theft. He also said Rivera passed a criminal background check before he was hired. Rivera is being held on felony charges, according to sheriff's booking records. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has yet to file charges, officials said. Rivera remains jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to sheriff's booking records.