On 12/10/2019, the Ridgecrest Police Department was notified of suspicious activity that was occurring involving Mayor Peggy Breeden’s cell phone. Several people reported receiving strange texts and some also received a distasteful photograph that appeared to have been sent from Mayor Breeden’s cell phone. These texts and photographs were sent without Mayor Breeden’s knowledge and consent. Investigation into the incidents revealed that Mayor Breeden’s cell phone and iPhone “cloud” account had been compromised (hacked) and the text messages sent by an unknown subject. The Ridgecrest Police Department worked with Apple Customer Support to secure Mayor Breeden’s cell phone and stop the unauthorized and false texting. Investigation into the perpetrator(s) of this incident is still occurring.

The Ridgecrest Police Department reminds the public to keep cell phone passwords and passcodes private and secure. Your cell phone and the mysterious “Cloud,” while useful in storing large amounts of data, contains sensitive and confidential information. This information can be used to impersonate you or your phone and gain access to personal bank and credit card information. We recommend you change your account passwords often and do not share them with others.

Hackers will use various methods to gain control of your device. You could receive a telephone call impersonating Apple or a cell phone company warning you that your account has been compromised and to follow instructions or press numbers on your phone. We recommend that you hang up without pressing any numbers and to contact your cell phone provider directly. Also, do not reply or “click” on embedded links within emails that depict account compromises, award winnings, tracking numbers of unordered purchases, etc… This can open your device or computer to the hackers.

Recently throughout the city of Ridgecrest there has been an increasing number of vandalisms in the form of graffiti. The Ridgecrest Police Department is asking the community’s help in this matter. If you see suspicious activities contact the Ridgecrest Police Department at (760) 499-5100. If you see something, say something.

Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Sgt. Groves