Mail-Identity Theft: March 2015

From Wichita, Kansas to Wichita Falls, Texas, and from Anchorage, Alaska to Oakland Park, Florida, mail thieves are stealing sensitive information from residential mailboxes for identity theft. It's happening across the country, and nowhere is safe. The best defense is a quality locking mailbox to prevent would-be identity thieves from gaining access to your financial documents from your mailbox.

Without further ado, here is a round up of the mail-identity theft news from across the nation in March 2015:

Mar. 3:

• BUCYRUS, Ohio: Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum - Lights and Sirens: Mail stolen from mailbox; "An Ann Street resident reported mail being stolen from their mailbox earlier in the day. 8:58 p.m."
• LOS ALTOS, California: San Jose Mercury News - Los Altos: Man arrested for warrants; "An Oakland man was arrested Monday after a Los Altos resident told police he believed that he and another man had stolen his mail."
• CAMARILLO, California: Ventura County Star - Camarillo man arrested in connection with mail theft; "A man was arrested in connection with mail theft last month in Camarillo, officials said."
• LUSBY, Maryland: TheBayNet.com - Man charged with theft of mail; "On Saturday, Feb. 28 at 4:45 a.m., Tfc. Smith of the Maryland State Police Prince Frederick Barrack responded to a report of male observed carrying a large amount of mail under his coat on Catalina Drive in Lusby."
• VENTURA COUNTY, California: Ventura EdHat- Mail Theft Suspect Arrested; "On February 27, 2015 at 12:00 PM, detectives from the Camarillo Investigations Bureau arrested Ethan Gross for possession of stolen property, identity theft and several drug related offenses at a local motel in Camarillo."
• OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma: KOCO 5 - Army vet working to catch metro mail thief; "After a number of reported mail and package thefts from front porches in the metro, one man said he’s setting up a sting operation to catch the wanted thief. “I’m not just your 'Joe Blow' citizen,” said John Karlin. “I’m a U.S. Army veteran with police training. I’m going to get this guy myself.”"
• GREENVILLE, South Carolina: WYFF 4 - Upstate man admits stealing credit cards from mail, spending thousands: Salathiel Harrison sentenced to 27 months in prison; "An Upstate man is on his way to jail after he admitted to recruiting thieves to steal credit cards and checks from mailboxes that he then used to make purchases. Salathiel Harrison, 38, of Fountain Inn, recruited people to steal mail and bring it to him so he could purchase merchandise from various stores that the recruits would then pick up."

• CORONA, California: The Press-Enterprise - CORONA: Police flier to help residents combat mail theft: Criminals steal mail to obtain credit cards, Social Security cards, bank statements, checks and cash. The documents can be used to create bank and credit accounts in the victim’s name; "Criminals steal mail to obtain credit cards, Social Security cards, bank statements, checks and cash. The documents can be used to create bank and credit accounts in the victim’s name. Police recommend depositing outgoing mail at post offices, picking up mail daily, not sending cash through the mail, putting a hold on mail during vacations, purchasing a lockable mail box and having checks automatically deposited."

• WESTMINSTER, Colorado: CBS Denver - Mail Theft At Westminster Neighborhood Is Not First Incident; "Instead of their mail, people in a Westminster neighborhood got a warning from the post office in their mailboxes on Monday. As resident Carol Wier read, 'This mailbox was vandalized and possible theft.'"

Mar. 4:

• LOS ALTOS, California: San Jose Mercury News - Police Blotter; "Lockhaven and Stonehaven drives, 9:08 a.m. Monday Two Oakland men were arrested -- one cited and the other booked into jail -- after a resident who thought his mail had been stolen provided police with a description of a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood."
• GALLATIN COUNTY, Montana: Bozeman Daily Chronicle - Second suspect wanted in string of mail thefts; "Between Dec. 15 and Feb. 9, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office received dozens of reports of mail being stolen from mailboxes east and north of Bozeman."
• MAPLE VALLEY, Washington: Maple Valley Reporter - King County Sheriff's Office; "The reporting party told officers their monthly credit account statement along with a paper check had been stolen from an unsecured mailbox. They became aware of the stolen mail when the next bill arrived with an unpaid balance. It appears the check was cashed by an unknown subject."
• UNION, Missouri: EMissourian.com - Union Police Warn Of Tax Identity Thefts; "People can obtain information necessary to for ID theft by stealing mail or tax returns, through corrupt tax preparation services, or phony emails from impostors."
• ROSEVILLE, California: Sacramento Bee - Police issue tips to thwart mail theft in Roseville; "Mail thefts continue in Roseville, prompting authorities to provide tips to prevent loss of letters and packages."

Mar. 5:

• ROSEVILLE, California: The Sacramento Bee - Two arrested after Roseville police pursuit of stolen vehicle; "Police said the SUV had been stolen from Rocklin on Feb. 20. Inside the vehicle, officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, burglar’s tools, stolen mail and property stolen during other recent vehicle thefts, police reported."
• MARION, Ohio: The Marion Star - Police beat: Rx drugs, credit card cash stolen; "Mail was reported stolen in the 8100 block of Wildcat Pike in LaRue."
• DENVER, Colorado: 9 News - 8 indicted in Denver-area ID theft ring; "The indictment is the result of an extensive year-long investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service in Denver, with assistance from Denver and Aurora police departments."

• BOZEMAN, Montana: KBZK 7 - Another person charged in mail theft case; "Another person has been charged, accused of stealing mail in Gallatin County. As we first reported a month ago, Katlyn Dedycker was arrested and charged with felony theft for stealing mail from mailboxes in the Springhill, Jackson Creek and Bridger Canyon areas."
• DENVER, Colorado: The Denver Post - Eight arrested on 81 counts of identity theft and forgery; "The charges allege that Hunter and Phillips, with the help of others, stole tens of thousands of dollars from grocery stores, credit unions and banks, as well as co-workers, relatives and an at-risk adult. The charges allege that they stole checks from mailboxes, passed counterfeit and forged checks, and in numerous instances committed identity theft."

Mar. 6:

• STOCKTON, California: News 10 ABC - Mail theft in Morada getting worse; ""We have tried to keep up with locks being broken. Fast as we put them up, they're broken into again. It's very frustrating. We want our customers to get their mail," Gonzalez said."
• JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee: Johnson City Press - Four juveniles arrested in mailbox vandalisms; "The release said the juveniles admitted to vandalizing at least 30 mailboxes off Cherokee Road last week, and the Washington County Juvenile Court has issued petitions for vandalism."
• DENVER, Colorado: Westword - See the members of the female-dominated, just-busted ID theft ring; "In the case of an alleged identity theft ring, however, prosecutors say women were in charge — and females represent six of the eight people named in an indictment featuring a staggering 81 counts."
• KNOXVILLE, Tennessee: Knoxville News Sentinel - Woman sentenced for mail theft; "A Campbell County woman caught in a sting operation stealing painkillers intended for veterans has been sentenced to probation."
• FEDERAL WAY, Washington: Federal Way Mirror - Federal Way Police Blotter; "Woman arrested for stealing mail: At 7:33 a.m. on March 1 in the 28000 block of 26th Ave. S., police observed the suspect stealing mail from a mailbox. She was arrested and booked into SCORE jail. Police found a ledger with names and social security numbers in her purse. In addition, they located an envelope with several pieces of stolen mail, checks, IDs and credit cards in her purse. She stated the items belonged to her friend.
• EPHRATA, Washington: iFiberOne.com - Moses Lake mail thief pleads guilty, sentenced to drug treatment; "A Moses Lake woman is receiving drug addiction treatment after she used a stolen credit card to buy $1,700 worth of items online."

Mar. 8:

• BOZEMAN, Montana: KBZK.com - Second person accused of stealing mail arrested; "In the original charging documents for Katlyn, 27 victims were identified and $11, 000 worth of gift cards and merchandise stolen. Since then, the number of alleged victims has grown to about 50."

Mar. 9:

• DAVIS, California: Sacramento Bee - Mail thefts spread to Davis; "Mail theft in recent months has hit residents in Roseville and Elk Grove. Now, Davis police report that several community mail boxes have been broken into and mail stolen."
• CALVERT COUNTY, Maryland: Southern Maryland Online - MSP Reports for Calvert Co.; "THEFT OF MAIL: On 3/02/2015 at 11:15 am, Trooper First Class Barlow responded to the 1800 block of Skinners Turn Rd. in Owings for reported theft of mail. The victim advised after placing outgoing mail in her mailbox, she observed a dark gray four door passenger vehicle with tinted windows pull up to her mailbox and remove the mail. The victim was unable to provide a registration plate number. Investigation continues."
• DAVIS, California: KCRA.com - Postal inspectors: Davis is the latest target in Sacramento-area mail thefts: Community mailboxes continue to get hit; "At least five community mailboxes in Davis have been broken into since the start of the year, said Jeff Fitch, a U.S. postal inspector."
• ANCHORAGE, Alaska: KTVA.com - 'Numerous' pieces of stolen mail found in impounded vehicle; "Alaska State Troopers say they have alerted residents in Soldotna, Copper Center, Indian and Kasilof after finding “numerous” pieces of stolen mail in an impounded vehicle, including W-2 forms and other mail with personal identifiers."
• NORFOLK, Virginia: The Sun Chronicle - Norfolk police seek information on mailbox vandals; "Police are looking for information about a vandal or vandals who destroyed dozens of mailboxes in town over the weekend."
• DAVIS, California: KCRA.com - Davis police alert residents of mailbox break-ins; "Thieves have been targeting cluster boxes in Davis, using a crow bar to pry them open. Once they're in, they have access to not just one box, but to all of the mail of people living in the neighborhood."
• BOZEMAN, Montana: ABC FOX - Second Mail Theft Supsect Arrested; "Police arrest a second person in connection with a string of mail thefts running rampant in Gallatin County."
• TUSCON, Arizona: Tuscon News Now - PCSD: Mail theft suspects caught with child in car; "Pima County Sheriff's deputies arrested two people in connection with a string of mail thefts on Tucson's east side. Deanna Lupo, 35, and Richard Keppler, 38, were caught on Thursday, March 5 after a traffic stop and admitted to the thefts and using stolen credit cards, according to a PCSD news release. Deputies said Lupo's 9-year-old daughter was in the car."
• VACAVILLE, California: The Reporter - Two arrested in connection with mail thefts; "Police say that Brandy Bauman, 24, and Casey Elder, 28, both of Vacaville, were stealing mail out of mail boxes around Vacaville and unincorporated areas outside the city. Officers found mail belonging to approximately 20 different victims in the Vacaville area, and are trying to contact the owners of the mail and trying to determine any additional crimes."

• TUSCON, Arizona: Tuscon.com - Deputies arrest pair in Tuscon mail-theft probe; "Deputies have been "plagued" with mail theft incidents over three weeks, the department said in a news release Monday. Richard Keppler, 38, and Deanna Lupo, 35, each told deputies they stole mail and used stolen credit cards, the release said. Deputies say they found stolen mail at each of their homes."

Mar. 10:

• UNION COUNTY, South Carolina: WYFF4.com - Upstate Sheriff warns of mail theft; "The Union County Sheriff's Office says it has gotten reports of mail being stolen in the southern part of the county. Officials say this is the time of year that people are getting income tax returns by mail and that is possibly what the people are looking for inside the mailboxes."
• COPPER CENTER, Alaska: Alaska Dispatch - Troopers warn Copper Center, Indian, Peninsula residents of mail theft; "While executing a search warrant on an impounded vehicle March 2, troopers found W-2 forms, line-of-credit checks, paychecks, personal checks and club membership cards, according to a trooper dispatch posted online Monday. The mail came from roadside mailboxes near Mile 95 of the Richardson Highway in Copper Center, near the intersection of Rainbow Valley Road and the Seward Highway in Indian, on Keystone Drive in Soldotna and near the intersection of Cardwell Road and the Sterling Highway in Kasilof, the dispatch said."
• THOUSAND OAKS, California: Ventura County Star - Two Agoura Hills residents arrested in connection with mail and identity theft; "A search warrant served at Magistrado's residence March 5 in the 30000 block of Agoura Road recovered mail, bank statements, checks, check books, driver's licenses, Social Security cards, birth certificates, passports, credit cards, tax forms, cellphone numbers and addresses belonging to more than 250 people from Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, authorities said."
• SPOKANE VALLEY, Washington: KREM 2 - Deputies: Mail thief hit 100 Spokane Valley homes; "Officials said the woman, Elayshia Foreman, stole packages and mail from at least 100 people all over Spokane Valley."

• VENTURA COUNTY, California: Ventura Edhat - Identity / Mail Theft Arrests; "In January 2015, patrol deputies responded to a forgery call in the City of Thousand Oaks. The victim had paid utility bills using his personal checks and placed the bills in the mailbox for the postal carrier to pick up. About a week later the victim was reviewing his bank records when he noticed the "Pay to the Order of:" and the amount on his checks had been changed."

Mar. 11:

• VACAVILLE, California: Daily Republic - Police arrest 2 in identity theft caper; "Two people were booked into the Solano County jail Sunday after being arrested on suspicion of identity theft, possession of stolen mail and possession of a methamphetamine smoking pipe, according to Vacaville police."
• CALVERT COUNTY, Maryland: BayNet.com - Victim's mail stolen and other crimes; "On 3/02/15 at 11:15 am, Trooper First Class Barlow responded to the 1800 block of Skinners Turn Rd. in Owings for reported theft of mail. The victim advised after placing outgoing mail in her mailbox, she observed a dark gray four door passenger vehicle with tinted windows pull up to her mailbox and remove the mail. The victim was unable to provide a registration plate number."
• UNION COUNTY, South Carolina: WSPA 7 - Union County Deputies Warn Of Mail Theft; "Deputies say witnesses have seen a green or faded blue Toyota Corolla or similar car driving around and could be responsible. Even though Sheriff Taylor says the thieves are looking for tax refunds - so far that hasn't been what they've found. "What's been taken out of the mailboxes has been people's bills," he said."
• HILLSBORO, Oregon: Mail Tribune - Emergency services, May 11; "Cassandra Pilar Solis, 22, of the 600 block of North First Street, Hillsboro. Jackson County sheriff's deputies Tuesday arrested Solis on warrants charging mail theft, identity theft, second-degree forgery and second-degree possession of a forged instrument. She was booked in the Jackson County Jail and released on her own recognizance."
• FONTANA, California: Fontana Herald News - Man is arrested for allegedly stealing mail from mailboxes in Fontana and committing fraud; "A man was arrested for allegedly stealing mail from neighborhood mailboxes and using the stolen information to obtain funds through means of fraudulent transactions and forging checks, according to the Fontana Police Department."
• YUBA CITY, California: KCRA.com - Surveillance video captures Yuba City mail thief: Postal inspectors say they're seeing a continuation of the crime throughout Sacramento area; "When Wankmuller went to get a closer look, she said several mailboxes were left wide open. In just minutes, she said that she, along with her neighbors, became victims of mail theft."
• SPOKANE VALLEY, Washington: KXLY.com - Woman arrested for stealing mail, identities from neighbors; "A Spokane Valley woman was arrested Tuesday for stealing from more than 100 pieces of mail from her neighbors."
• SPRINGFIELD, Missouri: OzarksFirst.com - Man Headed to Prison on Charges Related to Stolen Identities; "Wells was arrested in August of 2013 when police found that he was in possession of a stolen truck. During an investigation, a search warrant was issued for Wells’ residence, where authorities located stolen property and a large amount of stolen mail."
• BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma: FOX 23 - Broken Arrow police say traffic stop led to stolen checks; "Broken Arrow police said they found Joseph Roberts driving a stolen truck and hiding more than two dozen stolen checks during a traffic stop. All of the individual checks stolen were outgoing mail. Police said the victims likely left the checks and the suspect drove around opening boxes before the mailman picked them up."

• JACKSON COUNTY, Indiana: RTV 6 - Ind. mom, daughter accused of stealing mail, credit cards; "An Indiana mom and daughter were accused of identity theft after police found stolen mail, IDs, and credit cards inside of a stolen vehicle and motel room. Inside the hotel room, police found stolen mail, credit cards, driver's licenses and prescriptions from several Indiana neighborhoods in Southern, Central and Northern Indiana, said Detective Tom Barker."