Foster City Police Bust Alleged Large-Scale Identity Theft Ring

FOSTER CITY, CA — Police in Foster City have arrested four people in connection with an identity theft ring that allegedly targeted more than 100 people nationwide, police said Monday.

Earlier this month, police initially received a call from Costco employees that a fake check had been used to make a purchase at the Foster City Costco. According to police, a vehicle tied to that case was pulled over on Nov. 13 around 8:45 p.m.

Police said the driver - who wasn't directly identified by police - was arrested on suspicion of check fraud and possession of narcotics. A further investigation during the traffic stop determined that the three passengers were also allegedly involved in the fraudulent check case and were also arrested.

The four passengers - Zachary Zitzer, 32, of Foster City, Stacie Giersch, 24, of San Jose, Andrew Pagador, 28, of San Jose and Amanda Roethlin, 28 of San Jose were all booked into the San Mateo County Jail.

According to police, further investigation after the arrest determined that the suspects possessed personal identifying material of more than 100 people who live in other Bay Area counties and across the country - as far away as Portland, Ore. and Brooklyn, N.Y.

Foster City police will work with U.S. Postal Service inspectors and police departments in areas where victims live to complete the investigation.

— By Bay City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone