On November 20, 2016, three subjects were arrested for multiple counts of identity theft, fraud, forgery, and other offenses as a result of an investigation conducted by the Lake Havasu City Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and Criminal Investigation’s Unit. 

Since July 2016 there have been at least ten reports of vehicle burglaries and criminal damage where vehicle windows were smashed and property was stolen.  The stolen items included mostly purses and backpacks.  Reports have been taken from several areas of town to include the parking area next to the SARA Park Hiking Trail, parking lots around the Island and parking lots of downtown area businesses. 

Surveillance video captured two of the subjects attempting to cash an altered check using one of the stolen identifications.  Through the help of social media and tips from citizens of the community, the two subjects were identified.  

On November 19, 2016, between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit and Street Crimes Unit served search warrants in the 100 block of Mulberry Avenue and the 2000 block of Sandwood Drive. Seized during the execution of the search warrants were credit cards, driver’s licenses, purses, pay stubs, vehicle registrations, gift cards, cell phones, wallets, and packages which appeared to have been shipped to locations in town and stolen from porches or mailboxes.

Detectives are still trying to identify victims of these crimes due to credit applications found during the search warrants with various names.   Washed and altered checks were also found during the search warrants.  Residents are encouraged to monitor their credit reports for any unauthorized activity, especially if you have been a victim of identity theft.   

As a result of the investigation, officers arrested 35-year old Jamie L. Metz, 31-year old Jacqueline R. Metz and 37-year old Russell T. Crawford, all Lake Havasu City residents.  

Jamie L. Metz was charged with several counts of taking the identity of another, theft, fraudulent use of a credit card and forgery.  Jamie L. Metz had her initial appearance on November 20, 2016, and was transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office on a $40,000 bond.

Jacqueline R. Metz was charged with several counts of taking the identity of another, theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, forgery, burglary in the third degree and criminal damage.  Jacqueline Metz had her initial appearance on November 20, 2016, and was transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office on a $60,000 bond.

Russell T. Crawford was charged with burglary in the third degree, theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and false reporting to law enforcement.  Crawford had his initial appearance on November 20, 2016, and was transferred to the custody of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office on a $14,000 bond.

The Lake Havasu City Police Department would like to remind residents and visitors not to leave valuables, personal belongings and other property in plain view when leaving their vehicles unattended.   Always lock your vehicles and keep personal property out of view, preferably in a locked trunk. 

These incidents are still under investigation by the Street Crimes Unit and the Criminal Investigations Unit.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sergeant Brian Jacobs at (928) 680-5412, the Lake Havasu Silent Witness at (928) 854-TIPS (8477) or havasusilentwitness.com. Citizens can send an anonymous text message tip to “CRIMES” or 274637. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through a web page based tip service at www.tipsoft.com or via the “TipSubmit” mobile application for iPhone and Android based smart phones.  

Public Information Officer:  Sergeant Tom Gray (928) 855-1171

Attachments: Booking Photos of Jamie L. Metz, Jacqueline R. Metz and Russell T. Crawford