A man and woman were arrested Thursday morning by Ceres Police after an elderly woman reported she was kidnapped by them and brought to the bank to withdraw a large amount of cash from her account for them.
Police were called at approximately 10:53 a.m. by Wells Fargo Bank employees in downtown Ceres who relayed that a victim reported that she was being held hostage. Officers quickly responded and contacted the victim, who was accompanied by Stephanie Maghoney, 36. Officers learned that Maghoney and a 33-year-old accomplice, Nicholas Payton, had brought the victim to the bank in an attempt to have her withdraw a large amount of cash.
Payton had fled the bank area before officers arrived but they found him about a block away based on his description.
Payton was carrying a backpack which appeared to have the shape of a firearm poking through. Officers searched the backpack and found a loaded rifle that had no serial number.
Investigators learned that Payton was on active felony probation and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. He also had multiple arrest warrants, and was in possession of a controlled substance.
The relationship, if any, between the victim and the two suspects was unclear.
Both suspects were arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of kidnapping, elder abuse, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Payton was charged with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance, and possession of an un-serialized firearm.
Through the arrest and booking process, Maghoney continued to falsely identify herself. After the department’s initial press release was issued, Ceres Police received information from the public suggesting the female suspect may have provided a false identity. Officers contacted the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and requested assistance in confirming her true identity.
Through fingerprint analysis and additional investigation, it was determined that Maghoney had falsely identified herself to investigating officers and intake deputies during the booking process.
Maghoney had an active felony warrant out of the Tracy Police Department for burglary. She was subsequently re-arrested for the outstanding warrant and additionally charged with felony false impersonation.
The elderly victim was safely released and reunited with her family.
Police are conducting an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Ceres Police Department at 209-538-5712.
