STAFF REPORTS
Photo released shows a couple using Norris’ stolen credit cards. (Photo Courtesy: Murrieta Police Department)
Murrieta – On March 31 Ashley Norris’ purse was taken from a locker at a Murrieta LA Fitness. The purse contained some of the toys belonging to Norris’ infant son, who died last year.
According to Murrieta Police, two people were suspected of stealing Norris’ purse and they were able to pull surveillance images of a couple who were allegedly using the victim’s stolen credit cards. Norris, who was devastated by the loss of these precious toys, reached out to various media outlets and handed out flyers at the gym in an effort to find any information. On April 18, Murrieta Police announced that through several anonymous tips and leads, the suspects were identified as Amanda Sander, a Diamond Bar resident, and Romulo Castaneda. Sander was taken into custody early last week and booked into the Los Angeles County Jail on an unrelated charge.
According to local reports, Sander was interviewed but refused to cooperate. Sander was linked to the case after she gave the stolen purse to a friend who did cooperate with the investigation. When the purse was recovered by detectives, the toys were not in the bag and as of now have not been located.
Castaneda had been unknown, but last week he was tracked down to a Chino Hills motel and arrested without incident. He was transported back to Murrieta for questioning. Castaneda gave a statement, but was unable to give a location of the toys, according to Murrieta Police. Castaneda was arrested and booked into Murrieta Jail on charges of fraud, burglary and identity theft. He posted $5,000 bail and was released Friday, according to jail records. Sander remains in jail in Los Angeles County. At this time Ashley Norris remains without the toys that are a precious memory of her late son. According to a Patch interview, she is hoping that Sander will eventually cooperate and at least tell her if they were thrown away so she can have some peace.
