Alleged Marin ID Theft Duo Arrested In Vallejo

MARIN COUNTY, CA — A man and woman who authorities allege were behind a series of crimes in Southern Marin were arrested this week at a Vallejo hotel, according to investigators.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office said deputies received multiple reports of identity theft, fraud, and mail theft since September. The resulting investigation led detectives to identify Travis Penaluna, 34, as a primary suspect in the case, officials said Tuesday.

According to investigators, detectives linked two vehicles used in the crimes to Penaluna. The sheriff's office said one was purchased under the name of an identity theft victim, and the other was financed with a loan taken out under another victim's name. Detectives also learned Penaluna had previous federal convictions for similar crimes and an active federal warrant for his arrest.

Investigators allege Penaluna's girlfriend, Christina Taylor, 40, assisted him in the crimes and had an active warrant for being a parolee at large.

Detectives confirmed the pair's whereabouts and worked with the U.S. Marshals to arrest Penaluna and Taylor in Vallejo on Monday. The sheriff's office said multiple items related to identity theft, fraud and forgery were found during a search of the hotel room, along with stolen mail, checks, blank checks and card printers. Deputies also seized a loaded, unregistered gun and drugs, officials said.

Penaluna was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property, burglary, possession of a controlled substance while armed, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, making fictitious checks, grand theft auto, obtaining credit with another person's ID, carrying a loaded gun, possession of burglary tools and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Taylor was booked into jail on suspicion of having stolen property, committing burglary, obtaining credit with another's ID, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, possession of a switchblade and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Marin County residents who believe they were victims of mail or identity theft can file a report and reference case number SO24-3063.