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.”

• CORINTH, Texas: DentonRC.com – Corinth police seek public help in identifying alleged mail thief: This image from surveillance video shows a woman suspected of stealing a package from the front porch of a residence in Corinth; “The police are also seeking anyone else who thinks they may have had a package stolen, saying it’s possible this is not the suspect’s first time committing the crime. Gregg said the crime is one officers are seeing more often in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and one of which residents should be aware.”

July 2:

• McALLEN, Texas: KRGV 5 – Neighbors Frustrated by Mail Theft: Video evidence shows man taking mail; “Homeowners in one McAllen neighborhood are waiting on federal investigators to stop a theft problem. Mail is disappearing from their mailboxes.”
• MANHATTAN BEACH, California: Man arrested for stealing mail in Manhattan Beach; “A man has been arrested for allegedly taking mail from mailboxes and peering into cars in Manhattan Beach.”
• WYCKOFF, New Jersey: NorthJersey.com – Wyckoff police seek mailbox vandal; “Police are looking for a vandal who ripped a number of mailboxes out of the ground on Howard Street last month.”
• SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Michigan: ClickOn Detroit – Vandals blow up mailboxes in Superior Township; “A handful of mailboxes were targeted Monday night.”
• CARVER COUNTY, Minnesota: Chanhassen Villager – Sheriff report; “At 1:03 p.m., responded to the 7700 block of Market Boulevard, Chanhassen, for report of mail theft.”
• NEWBURY PARK, California: Thousand Oaks Acorn – Sheriff’s Blotter; “June 22: Mail theft was reported in the 400 block of Helga Court. Mail theft was reported in the 3700 block of Corte de Los Reyes.”
• FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas: Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette – Four members of Springdale check-forging ring sentenced in federal court; “Four men were sentenced this week for a mail theft and bank fraud scheme that netted them about $24,000 in stolen checks, U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge announced Tuesday.”

July 3:

• FRIDLEY, Minnesota: Sun Focus – Police reports from Fridley June 18-23; “Mail was reported stolen June 19 on the 6400 block of Arthur Street NE.”

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. “

• WELD COUNTY, Colorado: The Denver Post – Weld County authorities seek tips in massive mailbox destruction: Sheriff’s office says vandalism centered in Aristocrat Acres neighborhood; ““Some of the mailboxes were destroyed, while others had the mail removed from the mailboxes and scattered about,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.“

July 7:

• WALDORF, Maryland: TheBayNet.com – Police are investigating numerous crimes; “MAN ARRESTED FOR STEALING MAIL:  On July 4 at 6:48 a.m., officers responded to several reports regarding a suspicious subject who was stealing mail from personal mailboxes along Bensville Road in Waldorf.”
• EL DORADO COUNTY, California: Sacramento Bee – Suspected El Dorado County mail thieves arrested again with stolen credit cards, drugs: Search finds meth, needles, stolen ID cards; “Three people were arrested at an El Dorado Hills Target store after police found drugs and stolen items, including mail, credit cards and fraudulent checks, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.”

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.”

• 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.”

• 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.”

July 9:

• ELK GROVE, California: Sacramento Bee – Ask Sacto 911 crime Q&A: What happened to suspects in Elk Grove mailbox break-ins?; “Leonard Velasco, Joseph Ryan and Keri Southwood were arrested Feb. 12 in connection with more than 60 mailbox break-ins that had occurred in the Elk Grove area since Jan. 1. They were accused of theft or receipt of stolen mail, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and access device fraud.”
• CARVER COUNTY, Minnesota: Chanhassen Villager – Sheriff report; “At 4:01 p.m., responded to the 2200 block of Melody Hill Road, Chanhassen, for report of mail theft.”
• McPHERSON, Kansas: McPherson Sentinel – Area records; “At 3:36 p.m. Tuesday, an officer took a report of mail theft in the 500 block of East Northview Street.”
• ROSEVILLE, California: Sacramento Bee – Roseville police need help finding woman who used stolen checks: Checks were stolen from the mail of elderly Roseville resident; “The checks were stolen from the mail of an elderly Roseville resident. The victim had to change her bank account information.”

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:

• FRIDLEY, Minnesota: Sun Focus – Police reports from Fridley June 24-July 1; “Mail was reported stolen July 1 on the 500 block of Glencoe Street NE.”
• MURRIETA, California: Inland News Today – Mail theft call results in two arrests; “On Wednesday, officers responded to the area of Stone Ridge Drive reference a suspicious male tampering with a cluster of community mailboxes. “

July 12:

• HILLSBOROUGH, California: Burlingame-Hillsborough Patch – Police Arrest Hillsborough Man on Suspicion of Mail Theft: Police saw the man take mail from a mailbox and took him into custody; “Police arrested a man Saturday afternoon in Hillsborough on suspicion of stealing mail from a mailbox, police said. An officer confronted Michael Lesser in the 700 block of El Cerrito Avenue after the officer allegedly saw Lesser take mail from a mailbox, police said.”
• HILLSBOROUGH, California: KRON 4 – Police arrest man in Hillsborough on suspicion of stealing mail; “Lesser was arrested after he admitted to stealing mail from mailboxes in the area, according to police. Hillsborough police suggest residents get a locking mailbox to deter mail theft.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

• 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.”

July 16:

• PASCO COUNTY, Florida: WFLA 8 – Pasco Sheriff warns residents about mail box theft in Port Richey; “A thief broke into a drive up mail box outside of the Post Office at the Embassy Crossings shopping center at 9602 U.S. 19.”
• ATHENS, Georgia: Athens Banner-Herald – Man arrested for stealing mail; “Charles Johnson III, 59, of Atlanta Avenue was charged with theft of mail after a resident along the street called police after seeing Johnson taking the mail, police said.”
• KENT COUNTY, Michigan: The Rockford Squire – Metro Fraud/Identity Theft team warns of mail theft; “Recently there has been a number of Kent County businesses which have had their outgoing mail stolen from their mailboxes. These thefts are occurring overnight and/or over the weekends. Some of the mail contains checks.”
• CATHEDRAL CITY, California: KESQ 2 – Mail stolen from places you might least expect; how to protect your letters, payments and bills: 2 valley residents report having their mail stolen from Cathedral City post office; “Chances are you, or someone you know, have been targeted by mail thieves. In fact, mail is being stolen from places were you might least expect.”
• PORT RICHEY, Florida: My FOX Tampa Bay – A mailbox theft causing concern in Pasco County; “Pasco deputies warning of mail thieves who could steal your identity. Deputies in Pasco County are warning that thieves may steal personal information after a mailbox theft in Port Richey.”

• LA CROSSE, Wisconsin: WSAU – Statewide alert sent for stolen mail truck; “Most stolen vehicles are cars and pickup trucks. A thief in La Crosse stole a mail truck.”

• PROVO, Utah: Herald Extra – Police: Man spends nearly $1,500 with debit card stolen from mailbox; “According to police reports, the fraudulent transactions, totaling nearly $1,500, were made by Kolby Barnett after he stole the debit card from a mailbox.”

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:

• GULFPORT, Mississippi: WAPT 16 – Woman pleads guilty to federal mail, identity theft charges: Sentencing set for Oct. 15 for Megan Murley; “They allegedly used fake checks they reproduced to buy food, clothing, electronics, toys, gift cards and prepaid credit cards at Wal-Mart stores in Pass Christian and Biloxi.”
• VALENCIA, California: Santa Clarita Valley Signal – Valencia man pleads no contest in mail theft case; “A Valencia man accused of stealing the mail of nine Santa Clarita Valley residents and exploiting their identities for gain has pleaded no contest to fewer than half the 11 felony counts he faced, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.”

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.”

• 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.”

July 25:

• FRIDLEY, Minnesota: Sun Focus – Police reports from Fridley July 9-15; “Mail was reported stolen July 13 on the 6300 block of Dellwood Drive.”
• SAN MATEO, California: The Daily Journal – Two arrested for mail, package theft; “At approximately 4 p.m., a resident on Virginia Avenue in Belmont came home and found several pieces of open mail on the ground in front of her home. Belmont police investigated and found a total of four mail theft victims, on Virginia Avenue and Kingston Road.”
• BELMONT, California: Belmont Patch – 2 Women Arrested in Suspicion of Mail, Package Theft: Belmont police recovered stolen items from Belmont and San Mateo; “On Thursday, 7/16/15 at approx. 4PM, a resident on Virginia Ave came home and found several pieces of open mail on the ground in front of her home. Belmont Police investigated and found a total of four victims of mail theft, on Virginia Ave and Kingston Rd.”

July 27:

• HIGH POINT, North Carolina: Greensboro.com – High Point police investigate theft of checks from mailboxes; “High Point Police are investigating more than 20 cases of the theft of checks from mailboxes.”
• PORTLAND, Oregon: OregonLive.com – Portland duo indicted in car prowls, accused of swiping gun safe, pistol and ammo; “Shaykeishya Marie Hardin is charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft, seven counts of identity theft and one count each of mail theft, second-degree theft, second-degree criminal mischief and unlawful entry of a vehicle.”

• 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.”

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.”

• TULSA, Oklahoma: FOX 23 – Tulsa police accuse man of stealing car, mail; “Police think the man was stealing items from mailboxes all over Tulsa. Police said Anderson is a repeat offender when it comes to fraud.”

• 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:

• HAVRE DE GRACE, Maryland: Havre de Grace Patch – HdG Crime: Jewelry, mail and coins were also reported stolen this week, according to the Havre de Grace Police Department; “Mail theft was reported in the 900 block of Pulaski Highway at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 27. Police were consulting the post office to determine delivery information.”
• TUSCON, Arizona: Tuscon News Now – Mail thieves strike in eastside neighborhood; “An eastside neighborhood is on high alert, as residents continue to be targets for mail thieves. Residents of the historic Harold Bell Wrights Estate neighborhood said the problem has been going on since May.”

• WEST HOLLYWOOD, California: WEHOville – WeHo Residents Report Spate of Thefts from Apartment Mailboxes; “The U.S. Postal Service has launched an investigation into complaints that a man has been stealing mail from mailboxes in apartment houses and condo buildings in West Hollywood.”

• 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.”

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.”

• 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.”