Mail-Identity Theft – July 2015

Stolen mail is a leading cause of identity theft, and it’s happening across the nation every day. Here’s the news on mail-ID theft from the US in July 2015.

July 1:

  • SANDPOINT, Alaska: KDLG Public Radio Sand Point Post Office burglars sentenced: Two men have been sentenced in U.S. District Court to serve 21 months in federal prison for burglarizing the post office in Sand Point; “Sheldon Wilson Shuravloff, 21, and Keith Lee Wilson, Jr., 19, both of Sand Point, previously pled guilty to burglarizing the Sand Point post office in the early morning hours on December 28, 2014.”
  • LAS VEGAS, Nevada: News 3 Nevada ICE arrests 25 convicted criminals in Nevada enforcement operation; “Of the 25 foreign nationals arrested during the operation, more than 20 have multiple prior criminal convictions. Thirteen of those taken into custody are convicted felons whose criminal histories include such offenses as drug trafficking, possession of stolen mail, sexual assault and DUI.”
  • SHAKOPEE, Wisconsin: Shakopee Valley News Shakopee police warn about rash of mail thefts; “Shakopee police are warning that there have been several reports of mail theft in the city over the past month. Thefts have included packages as well as regular mail.”

Mail thefts

Corinth Police Department

July 2:

July 3:

July 6:

  • MANHATTAN BEACH, California: Easy Reader News Mail theft arrest; “An officer in an unmarked car followed the man and watched him take mail out of a mailbox and walk down Highland Avenue while looking over fences and into car windows.”
  • WINONA, Minnesota: Winona Daily News Police calls for Monday, July 6: Mailbox blown up, cows reported missing; “Winona County Saturday 2:35 p.m. — A mailbox was blown up at a residence on German Ridge Road south of Stockton. A dark-colored compact car was seen leaving the area at high speed following the explosion.”
  • WELD COUNTY, Colorado: The Tribune Weld Sheriff’s Office investigates mailbox vandalisms in Aristocrat Acres; “About 3:45 a.m. Saturday, deputies were on patrol in the area of Aristocrat Acres, near Ft. Lupton, when they found numerous mailboxes vandalized throughout the neighborhood, according to an agency news release. Some of the mailboxes were destroyed, while others were ransacked. Mail was found scattered throughout the neighborhood. “

Smashed mailboxes in Weld County

July 7:

Heston Schmucker

July 8:

  • WEST SEATTLE, Washington: West Seattle Blog West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 burglaries; 2 suspected package thefts; “Genesee Hill has had at least 2 cases of mail theft within my immediate neighborhood in the last ~ year. Several of us have installed locked mailboxes for incoming mail (although that is ineffective for USPS packages that can’t be held) and hand deliver out-going mail.”
  • EL CERRITO, California: San Jose Mercury News El Cerrito police log: Women found with stolen rental pickup truck and stolen mail; “Officers located a large amount of stolen mail (including) checks and credit cards. The Vallejo woman also had suspected methamphetamine and was arrested. The Albany woman was released.
  • YUCAIPA, California: News Mirror Two arrested in possession of stolen property; “The car and its two occupants matched the description of the suspects who were reportedly stealing mail from residential mailboxes in the area of 15th Street and Avenue E in the City of Yucaipa.”

suspect

  • STEVENS POINT, Wisconsin: Stevens Point Journal Police: Vandal used firework to destroy mailbox; “The Stevens Point Police Department is looking for a person who used a large firework to blow up a mailbox at a home on Nicolet Drive late the night of July 4.”

Mailbox1

  • SPARTANBURG, South Carolina: FOX Carolina Deputies ask for help identifying mail theft suspect; “The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying a woman deputies said was captured on camera cashing a check that had been stolen from the mail.”

Deputies ask for help identifying suspect (Courtesy: Spartanburg Co. Sheriff's Office/ Facebook)

July 9:

Roseville police want to know the identity of the woman in this surveillance photo.

July 10:

  • COLUMBIA, South Carolina: WJCL News Fourteen plead guilty in mail theft conspiracy; “Fourteen people have pleaded guilty in a mail theft conspiracy case in which checks were stolen from mailboxes in Anderson County and sorted to find checks and personal identification information of recipients.”
  • ANDERSON, South Carolina: Independent Mail 14 plead guilty to $160,000 Anderson mail theft conspiracy; “Fourteen people from the Upstate, mostly from Anderson, pleaded guilty to being part of an organized mail theft group that took $160,000.”
  • MURRIETA, California: Inland News Today INT: Mail thief call results in two arrests; “After a thorough search of the vehicle, stolen mail and numerous burglary tools were located.”
  • GULFPORT, Mississippi: Sun Herald – Five indicted on federal mail and identity theft charges; “Five people indicted on federal conspiracy charges are accused of stealing checks from mail depositories and using personal financial information, including banking account and routing numbers, to reproduce bogus checks that were later cashed at Walmart stores, court records show.”
  • MURRIETA, California: Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch Pair Accused of Stealing Mail Charged: The two were arrested Wednesday following an investigation by Murrieta police; “Two convicted felons accused of stealing mail from Murrieta residents were each charged Friday with conspiracy to commit a felony.”
  • ANDERSON, South Carolina: WYFF 4 Group stole mail to support meth habit, US attorney says: Defendants from Anderson, Greenville counties; “Prosecutors described the ring as an organization that regularly stole mail from residential boxes, sorted the stolen mail for checks and personal identifying information, created altered or counterfeit checks, and created false identification documents.  Multiple counterfeit and altered checks were passed throughout the Upstate. Authorities estimate that the crime ring netted more than $160,000, and said most of the money was used to buy methamphetamine.”

July 11:

July 12:

July 13:

  • PALM COAST, Florida: Palm Coast Observer COPS CORNER: Mailboxes stolen on Rolling Rands; “The box and post were secured by a friction lock, and the thief had “simply lifted the post and mailbox off the base,” the deputy wrote in a report.”
  • KENT COUNTY, Michigan: WWMT 3 Outgoing mail being stolen from Kent Co. businesses; “Some of the stolen mail reportedly contained checks, which are being counterfeited or cashed, both locally and out of state.
  • MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Alabama: AL.com Montgomery County man pleads guilty to mail fraud, ID theft; “Newton obtained the personal identifying information of others in various ways, including by paying other individuals to collect multiple identities or by recruiting people to provide their identities to him, according to the Department Of Justice.”
  • GULFPORT, Mississippi: The Republic – 5 people indicted for stealing checks, producing bogus checks later cashed at Walmart stores; “Five people have been indicted for allegedly stealing checks from mail depositories and using fake personal financial information to reproduce bogus checks that were used at Wal-Mart stores.”
  • McALLEN, Texas: KRGV 5 Mcallen Mail Theft; “Inspectors with the U.S. Postal Service reached out to homeowners in a McAllen neighborhood where their mail was being stolen. They said there wasn’t much they could do, unless the residents could prove they’ve lost $50,000 or more due to the missing mail. Residents have video of the man they said was behind the mail theft. Local police said they can’t do anything because it’s a federal crime.”
  • GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan: FOX 17 Kent Co. investigating business mail thefts; “Kent County Sheriff Fraud Investigators say there have been at least eight reports of outgoing mail being stolen.”

FOX 17 file photo

July 14:

  • BRENTWOOD, California: Contra Costa Times East County police calls; “Mail Theft — At 3:09 p.m., a thief reportedly stolen mail from two mailboxes on Amber Lane.”
  • SKAKOPEE, Minnesota: Shakopee Valley News Police use baited parcel, GPS to nab mail theft suspect; “Shakopee police had received several reports of mail theft in a certain area of the city in June. Thefts of letters containing checks and such things as birthday cards were reported stolen, as were packages.”

ShakopeeMailThieves

July 15:

  • CHARLESTON, West Virginia: Charleston Gazette-Mail Cross Lanes woman pleads guilty to Christmas package theft; “A Cross Lanes woman has received probation after pleading guilty to stealing Christmas packages and a wreath from a porch.”
  • WALNUT CREEK, California: Walnut Creek Patch Pair From Walnut Creek Arrested For Alleged Mail, Identity Theft; “Witnesses directed officers to a motel room where Michael Whalin, 23, and Samantha Surls, 30, were found with mail belonging to Novato and East Bay residents, Dunlap said. Police also found banking information, checks and debit and credit cards belonging to the victims, Dunlap said.”
  • SAN BERNADINO COUNTY, California: Press Enterprise LOMA LINDA: More than 100 people victimized in identity theft ring; “Gurule led deputies to his San Bernardino hotel room, where he was staying with Gutierrez, his girlfriend. Deputies searched the room, finding several stolen checks, stolen mail items and the identify theft materials.”
  • MUNCIE, Indiana: The Star Press Woman accused of stealing mail; “A Muncie woman was arrested Monday night after she allegedly stole mail from boxes outside at least three local residences.”

-Rachel Doll.JPG_20150714.jpg

  • AMERICAN CANYON, California: Napa Valley Register Mailboxes vandalized, mail stolen on westside; “Homeowners in several westside neighborhoods of American Canyon have had their mailboxes vandalized this summer, leaving police searching for a suspect and complicating efforts by residents to get their mail. The American Canyon Police Department has received 22 reports of mailbox tampering since the beginning of June, according to Police Chief Tracey Stuart.”

Vandalized mailboxes in American Canyon

July 16:

Hino box truck, very similar to the truck stolen from La Crosse - PHOTO: La Crosse Police Department

Kolby Barnett

July 17:

  • LOS BANOS, California: Los Banos Enterprise Police nab suspected mail thieves in Los Banos; “According to a witness, a man and woman drove up in a white Lexus and broke into a shared mailbox with a crowbar. The woman acted as a lookout and the pair fled after stealing several pieces of mail from the boxes, authorities said.”
  • PALM DESERT, California: The Desert Sun In wake of theft, Palm Desert post office reduces hours; “Thieves had broken into more than 100 boxes over the past several months at the Portola Avenue location, Marshall said staff members told him a week prior.”

July 18:

  • AMERICAN CANYON, California: Times-Herald American Canyon mailboxes targeted by thieves; “For the past few weeks, residents of certain neighborhoods here have had to travel to Vallejo’s main post office to pick up their mail because someone’s been breaking into their mailboxes. “Suspects often steal from rural roadside mailboxes or community boxes,” she said. “It happens all over the country, but the most recent rash occurred primarily on the west side of SR29, south of American Canyon Road.” Saying it’s unlikely the break-ins were simple vandalism, the criminals doing this are likely “looking for checks, credit cards and other items that might provide enough information for identity theft,” she said.”
  • WHITE PLAINS, New York: New Rochelle Talk Check Washing: A Community Alert From Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore; “Check washing is a disturbing trend that begins with mail being stolen for the purpose of obtaining personal and business checks. A person may become aware they have been a victim of check washing only after checking their balance and realizing more money is missing than they expect.”

July 20:

  • MENLO PARK, California: San Jose Mercury News Police Blotter; “700 block of Cambridge Avenue, 2:31 p.m. Wednesday A mail theft report was taken.
  • GULFPORT, Mississippi: Sun Herald – South Mississippi woman admits federal mail and identity theft; “According to court records, the five indicted in the conspiracy are accused of stealing checks from mail depositories and using personal financial information, including banking account and routing numbers, to reproduce bogus checks that were later cashed at Walmart stores.”

July 21:

July 22:

  • ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: The Washington Times Albuquerque man sentenced to prison in mail theft case; “An Albuquerque man who admitted stealing mail from mailboxes and then stealing a victim’s identity for fraudulent purposes has been sentenced to over three years in prison.”
  • SANTA CLARA, California: Santa Cruz Sentinel Police Blotter; “Mail theft–Between June 25 and July 2 in the 18000 block of Vessing Road. Someone stole mail from the mailbox of a residence by prying the locked mailbox open.”
  • YUCCA VALLEY, California: Hi-Desert Star – Deputies say heroin, stolen mail found at wanted man’s house; “Sheriff’s deputies say they found heroin, drug paraphernalia and stolen mail at a house on Ronald Drive Tuesday.”
  • BAKERSFIELD, California: KernGoldenEmpire.com – Mail theft caught on camera; “The United States Postal Service is investigating multiple cases of mail theft in Bakersfield — including at least one Tuesday that was caught on camera.”
  • CHATHAM COUNTY, Georgia: WOTC 11 – Residents in Bacon Park neighborhood reporting mailbox tampering; “Some residents in the Bacon Park neighborhood have reported stolen mail and witnessing an individual entering their mailboxes, and at times, leaving the mail at the door.”
  • BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma: FOX 23 – Police seek Broken Arrow mailbox bill thieves; “Police are looking to identify a person of interest. They say thieves are taking bills from mailboxes and using them to cash fraudulant checks. This is taking place on the northeastern side of Broken Arrow.”

PHOTO: Police seek person of interest in fraud case

  • TAMUNING, Guam: KUAM News Two charged with mail theft for raiding P.O. boxes; “Jon Michael Mapote Villena and Annalin Marie Perez Aldan were caught on camera stealing mail. Today, they appeared before a US magistrate judge where they were charged with a single count of mail theft.”

July 23:

  • SALT LAKE CITY, Utah: Good 4 Utah – Suspected identity thief arrested following ABC4 exclusive report; “Sergeant Corbett Ford of the Cottonwood Heights Police Department says his officers stopped Valencia earlier this week on a routine traffic violation. He says officers found things like stolen credit cards, mail and checks in the car.”
  • SAN BERNADINO COUNTY, California: Highland Community News – Theft of Mail/Possession of Stolen Property; “During a probation check of Bermudez’ property, he was found to be in possession of over 20 envelopes of mail not addressed to him. The addresses were all out of Loma Linda, in the area of the listed address. Deputies located several open mail boxes in the area. Deputies were able to locate multiple victims and return their mail. The victims did not know Bermudez and he did not have permission to be in possession of their mail.”

July 24:

  • AMERICAN CANYON, California: The American Canyon Eagle More mailbox vandalism in AmCan; “Another bank of mailboxes in American Canyon was broken into this week. But unlike the previous incidents, a witness saw the perpetrators and gave chase after them.”

vandalized mailbox bank Danrose Drive American Canyon

July 25:

2 Women Arrested in Suspicion of Mail, Package Theft

July 27:

PortlandMailThieves

  • TRUCKEE, California: KTVN 2 Truckee Police Arrest Man on Several Vehicle Theft Charges; “Officers eventually found him and police say the car he was driving ended up being stolen and he was arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and possession of a switchblade.”

Dustin Ball

July 28:

  • HIGH POINT, North Carolina: WXII 12 20+ mail thefts reported from High Point mailboxes; suspects wanted; “More than 20 reports of mail stolen from mailboxes have been made since June 30, High Point police said Monday. Police on Tuesday identified one of the suspects as Marquilia Jasmine Jackson, 24.”
  • FLATHEAD, Montana: Flathead Beacon Mailbox Destruction; “12:18 p.m. A Mission Way resident reported that his mailbox was severely damaged and lying on the ground. He stated that there were other battered mailboxes scattered about the neighborhood as well. 12:31 p.m. Two additional mailboxes were in need of attention on Country Way.
  • BELMONT, California: San Jose Mercury News Belmont: Police arrest two San Mateo women in connection with mail thefts; “Police arrested two women last week in connection with several recent mail and package thefts that have occurred in Belmont and San Mateo.”
  • SOUTHAVEN, Mississippi: DeSoto Times-Tribune Police seek Southaven mail thief; “A mail thief in Southaven was brazen enough to make her heist in broad daylight and police have the pictures to prove it.”

  • STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania: WJAC 6 State College residents suspect a mail thief; “Several people who live in the State College area believe something fishy is going on with their mail service. Some of them even believe their mail is being stolen. “It’s cards like birthday cards, graduation cards, anything like that that looks like something good,” Becky Sherman said.”

PHOTO: Ryan Anderson

  • CINCINNATI, Ohio: WKRC 12 Howard Ain, Troubleshooter: Avoiding Mail Theft; “Do you believe you’re receiving all the mail that’s sent to you? People need to be aware so thieves can’t get their money. Mail arrives at a person’s home every day but do they know if it’s being tampered with or even stolen? Being alert could save people time and money.”

July 29:

Image of suspected mail thief

  • JACKSONVILLE, Florida: News 4 JAX Protect your mail from thieves; “News4Jax Crime and Safety Analyst Gil Smith says it’s key to pay attention to your mail. Smith says you should also be paying attention to the box itself.”

  • AMERICAN CANYON, California: American Canyon Eagle Mailbox vandalism: worst over?; “The past two weeks have seen more mailboxes vandalized and mail stolen in American Canyon, according to police. But the problem appears to be declining over the course of the summer. The American Canyon Police Department received 20 reports of mailboxes being tampered with or broken into during the month of June. As of Tuesday, police had received only four reports for July.”

vandalized mailbox bank Danrose Drive American Canyon

July 30:

  • LOS BANOS, California: Los Banos Enterprise Mail thefts being investigated on West Side; “July 31:Los Banos Police Department officials, who have said they have taken 24 theft reports involving U.S. Postal Service mailboxes since June 1, arrested a man Tuesday who allegedly tried to cash a check stolen from a mailbox just outside city limits.”
  • DECATUR, Alabama: AL.com – Decatur woman federally indicted with stealing mail, wire fraud; “Investigators say Casey Michelle Hardiman, 31, was stealing mail and credit cards out of mailboxes in Madison County. Between April 7 and 10, she was in possession of more than 200 letters and other pieces of mail that had been stolen from numerous mailboxes in the county, according to the four-count indictment.”

July 31:

  • COLLINSVILLE, Illinois: Belleville News-Democrat – Collinsville man admits to mail fraud, identity theft; “Jeffrey C. Brown, 35, admitted to stealing mail from other people’s mail boxes and then using personal information found in the mail to apply for credit cards.”
  • NEWARK, Maryland: Newark Post – Mailbox damaged on Old Cooches Bridge Road; “Spadola said an employee discovered the mailbox had been pried open and mail from the 32 businesses that use the box was strewn about and rifled through.”
  • DECATUR, Alabama: Decatur Daily – Decatur woman indicted on federal wire fraud and other charges; “Hardiman possessed more than 200 letters and mail items between April 7-10 that had been stolen from numerous mailboxes in Madison County, the indictment charges.”

Casey Hardiman

  • DESOTO, Mississippi: De-Soto Times Tribune – Mail thief arrested, charged; “The woman last week “caught on camera” taking a mail package from in front of a Southaven home has been found and arrested.”

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