Identity Thieves Arrested at Victim’s Home 
For Immediate Release
Tuesday April 8, 2008

CHANDLER, AZ. On April 3, 2008 at approximately 6:00 A.M., a Chandler woman was working out at a LA Fitness center in Tempe.  When the woman finished her workout and went to the showers, she left her locker unsecured.  Tracie Rasmussen took advantage of the opportunity and stole the women’s car keys and subsequently the woman’s vehicle.  The woman’s purse and backpack with credit cards, identifying information as well as keys to her husband’s vehicle was left in her now stolen vehicle.  By 7:00 A.M. two of the woman’s credit cards had been used to purchase items at a Fry’s Grocery Store and a Walgreen’s.  The woman’s husband went to the Walgreen’s in Scottsdale where the suspects used his wife’s credit card and obtained a copy of the surveillance footage.  Tempe Police took the initial report of the stolen vehicle.

On April 7, 2008 at approximately 6:30 A.M., a man and woman knocked on the front door of the victim’s house in Chandler.  When the husband answered the door, the man and woman claimed to be looking for someone else and then left.  The husband was suspicious and called Chandler Police.  The patrol officer met with the husband who related his concerns about the persons and about his wife’s stolen car.  The officer checked the area and located the woman hiding at a nearby playground in the playground equipment.  The officer coordinated with other patrol officers to look for the man who was found about one block away from the home. 

The woman was identified as 21-year-old Queen Creek resident Tracie Nicole Rasmussen.  The man was identified as Randall Scot Combs, a 45-year-old Phoenix resident.  Combs was identified as having a warrant for his arrest and was found to have drugs as well as other persons’ credit cards in his possession.  The woman’s stolen backpack was found in the playground equipment.  Shortly after Rasmussen was detained, the husband recognized Rasmussen as the woman in the surveillance footage using his wife’s credit card. 

Police recovered from Combs and Rasmussen a hand written map to the victim’s home as well as the keys to the husband’s vehicle.  In addition, a second map to a potential victim was found as well as 2 other sets of car keys.  At least 7 other’s personal information was recovered from Combs and Rasmussen.  The woman’s stolen vehicle was recovered in Tempe.

Rasmussen has been booked in Maricopa County Jail for theft of a motor vehicle, Aggravated identity theft, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card, forgery and theft.  Combs was booked for his warrant and charges will be pending against Combs for Aggravated identity theft.     

The Chandler Police Department is encouraging anyone with information about this case to call 480-782-4130.

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