Four Pinched On Grand Theft, Forgery Charges; Used Stolen I.Ds To Obtain Homes, Mtgs: Cops; Victims Discover Scam When Stiffed Banks Sought Repayment

From the Office of the San Bernardino, California District Attorney:

• On Monday, September 13, 2010, Ray Gross, 46, of Victorville, was arrested at his residence by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies for real estate fraud charges. Gross was arrested for numerous felony counts including grand theft, forgery, and filing forged documents with the County Recorder’s Office. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit conducted the investigation.

• Within the last few weeks, other co-conspirators were arrested on similar charges. Those arrested were: Freddie Gross, 52, of Fontana, Lyall Alexander, 42, of Victorville, and Barbara Kimberling, 46, of Riverside.

• In 2007, the suspects conspired to obtain real estate loans by fraudulently using the identity of three victims. The loans encumbered properties located in Victorville, Riverside, and Ridgecrest. The victims’ signatures were forged on Grant Deeds and Deeds of Trust. The fraudulent loans totaled over $600,000.

• The victims had no knowledge of these loans until months later when they were contacted by lending institutions for lack of payment. The suspects have been booked into the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s jail facilities. Bail for Gross is set at $1,700,000.

Source: Victorville Man Arrested on Real Estate Fraud Charges.