Identity Theft Suspect Arrested in Hollywood

A suspect who allegedly posed as a wealthy woman to befriend people and steal their identities was taken into custody Tuesday in Hollywood, authorities said.

"Gia Hendricks," whose real name is Maria Christina Johnson, is wanted for similar offenses in Oregon and Washington where she served two years in prison for identity theft, said Stephanie Martin of the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Johnson was arrested in Hollywood by Manhattan Beach police detectives.

Johnson, who allegedly passed herself off as a person of wealth who runs a modeling agency to gain her victims' trust, also claimed to be associated with the Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR racing team by using her assumed name, authorities said. She has no known permanent address or vehicle, but in the process of befriending victims, she found places to stay and transportation, Martin said.

Johnson, 40, has reportedly gone by various names, including Gia Hendricks, Gia Hendrick, Maria Hendricks, Maria Johnson, Christina Johnson and Gia Johnson.

She was booked on four counts involving forgery and burglary, authorities said. Bail was set at $80,000.

Anyone with information on the case or who may have been a victim was asked to call Manhattan Beach Police Department Detective Mike Rosenberger at 310-802-5127.