Woman accused of a 6-week crime spree in SLO County now faces 29 felonies
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- SLO County prosecutors charged Lauren Johnston with 29 felonies over six weeks.
- She stole at least five wallets and used cards at ten businesses, court records say.
- Records show prior ID-theft and burglary convictions; enhancement tied to ongoing case.
A woman with a criminal history spanning multiple California counties was arrested after she allegedly stole at least five people’s wallets and made fraudulent purchases at 10 different businesses over six weeks in San Luis Obispo County.
Lauren Johnston was arrested on Dec. 10 and charged by the SLO County District Attorney’s Office with 29 felonies in six separate cases going as far back as late October, according to court records.
In most cases, Johnston, 34, was charged with allegedly stealing people’s personal belongings and identifying information — potentially including driver’s licenses, credit cards and other access cards such as Health Savings Account cards and medical insurance cards — to commit petty theft by way of fraudulent purchases at stores and gas stations.
Johnston first allegedly committed identity theft on Oct. 26 and used stolen information to make fraudulent purchases from an ampm convenience store and a Chevron gas station in Paso Robles, according to court records.
On the same day, she allegedly stole the personal property and identifying information of another individual and used that information to make fraudulent purchases at a Taco Bell, Walgreens and Grocery Outlet in Atascadero.
A little over a week later, on Nov. 3, Johnston allegedly stole a third person’s identifying information and personal property from their locked car and reportedly used that person’s credit card to make purchases at Ma’Lu’s Kitchen in Atascadero.
Johnston was then charged with petty and grand theft for allegedly stealing over $950 worth of property from another person on Nov. 19.
On Nov. 26, she allegedly stole the identifying information and personal belongings of yet another victim. She also allegedly used the stolen information at Smart & Final, Jack in the Box and Wayside Liquor & Deli in Paso Robles.
Finally, on Dec. 10, Johnston allegedly stole a bag, glasses and other personal items amounting to more than $950 from someone’s car and used their information at a Circle K in Atascadero. She also allegedly shoplifted at the Circle K and an Arco in Paso Robles.
Johnston was being held without bail as of Thursday. Her next court appearance will be on Jan. 27.
The Atascadero Police Department reminded residents to always lock their vehicles, be vigilant and protect their personal information.
If you have any information regarding the suspect, or have been a victim of credit card fraud, please contact the Atascadero Police Department at 805-461-5051.
Suspect has a criminal record across California
According to her statewide criminal record, this is not the first time Johnston has been accused of burglary and identity theft.
In 2014 and 2015, she was convicted of misdemeanor petty theft, felony vehicle theft, felony identity theft, and first- and second-degree burglary in Sacramento County, according to court records. She was also convinced of fraudulent possession of personal identifying information in Placer County.
In 2010, she was previously charged in SLO County with five felonies and two misdemeanors of grand theft and use of access cards, possession of controlled narcotics, possession of burglary tools and concealment of stolen property, but the charges were dismissed, according to district attorney case records.
Johnston allegedly committed the recent crimes in SLO County while released from custody for a felony charge in Monterey County filed on Nov. 13, though court records do not show the specific charge.
All cases carry an enhancement due to her ongoing case in Monterey County, but if convicted it would apply only once.
In a July 26, 2017, letter from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office recommending Johnston be denied parole for her earlier convictions, Deputy DA Stephanie Maroun called her a “well-established violent felon” and a “habitual thief.”
The letter describes six previous cases in Sacramento County for which Johnston was convicted, similar to the allegations against her in SLO County.
According to Maroun’s letter, Johnston was prowling around neighborhoods and businesses in 2014 searching for unlocked cars she could break into to steal purses, identification cards, check books, credit cards and gift cards. She then used the credit cards to make thousands of dollars of fraudulent purchases and ATM withdrawals, Maroun said.
In one case, Johnston allegedly broke into someone’s car and stole their purse from the front passenger seat when the owner was standing just 25 feet away, Maroun said. In another case, she allegedly broke into someone’s home and stole electronics and over $6,000 worth of jewelry.
She also allegedly burglarized another residence while out on bail for the previous felony cases, stealing five handguns, a car and a credit card she later used to buy clothes for her court appearance that day, the letter said.
“Johnston has had multiple opportunities to show this community that she is going to change her ways,” Maroun said in the letter. “However, every chance has ended with another person becoming a victim to her greedy ways. Inmate Johnston has shown time and time again that she is unwilling to conform to the laws of society and will always find a way to victimize innocent citizens.”
