Newark residents are breathing easier after local police arrested a Hayward woman accused of orchestrating an elaborate identity theft and mail fraud operation.
According to the Newark Police Department, the investigation began on March 27 when a local resident encountered a stranger at his doorstep. The individual, later identified as Tomasa “Tommy” Martinez Leon, claimed a package had been mistakenly delivered to the resident’s home. Trusting the visitor, the resident gave them his phone number—only to realize something was off the following day.
A suspicious package arrived at the resident’s address under a different name, and unauthorized charges soon appeared on his credit card, amounting to thousands of dollars in luxury purchases.
Acting quickly, the resident contacted Newark police. Officers intervened just as the suspect returned to retrieve the package, stopping the scheme in its tracks.
Further investigation revealed the suspect had fraudulently purchased a $5,000 dental autoclave from a supply company, shipping it to her own address while using a phone number tied to a piercing studio in Hayward. A warrant was executed at the location, where police recovered the stolen equipment and other items connected to the fraud.
On May 30, 24-year-old Tomasa Martinez Leon was arrested and charged with Felony Identity Theft and Felony Possession of Stolen Property. She claimed the goods had been bought online at a discount, though police say the evidence shows otherwise.
The case underscores how a community member’s vigilance can play a critical role in stopping complex fraud schemes.
