Mail-Identity Theft: November 2015

This month. mail thieves have been quite busy. They target unlocked mailboxes or pry open low quality locking mailboxes to get sensitive information for identity theft. These crimes tend to peak in November and December, and also during tax season. To protect yourself, use a secure locking mailbox and never send checks or bill payments from an unsecured mailbox. Without further ado, here is the round-up of mail-identity theft and related news from across the United States in November 2015:

Nov. 2:

• MORRISON, Colorado: 9 News – Mailboxes in Morrison targeted by thieves; “Some residents in Morrison fear they may have had important mail stolen from them. Kim Kelly says her neighborhood’s cluster mailbox units were pried open and the contents taken.”
• FONTANA, California: The Press Enterprise – FONTANA: Suspected arrested in mail thefts; “A man suspected of stealing mail in several Inland cities and a few Los Angeles County cities was arrested Friday, Oct. 30, Fontana police said in a news release.”
• LOUISVILLE, Kentucky: WDRB.com – Pair charged with stealing mail from Louisville homes; “Two people have been arrested for allegedly stealing mail from two Louisville homes.”

• DES MOINES, Washington: KIRO 7 – Mail thief targets Des Moines mobile home complex; “For two weeks, someone has targeted mail boxes at the Sound Vista Mobile Home Park on 29th Court South. At one point, 18 boxes were broken into.”

• TUSCON, Arizona: KVOA – Crime Trackers: Marana PD busts mail theft ring that uses juveniles; “He said the group was stealing checks  from mailboxes in a retirement community in August. The thieves would look for the mailboxes with the red flag up.”

Nov. 3:

• LAGRANGE COUNTY, Indiana: WOWO.com – Police Search for Mailbox Vandals; “Police in LaGrange County are searching for a group of vandals responsible for smashing mailboxes over the weekend.“
• SAN BERNADINO, California: San Bernadino Sun – Fontana man linked to identity theft in San Bernardino, Los Angeles counties; “A Fontana man is behind bars after he was allegedly found with several pieces of stolen mail linked to about 50 people across the Inland Empire, Fontana Police said.”

Nov. 4:

• ALTUS, Oklahoma: The Lawton Constitution – Second Suspect Held In ID Theft Case; “Police Chief Tim Murphy reported that officers found a number of items inside the vehicle. Those included mail, checks and credit and debit cards that belonged to other people.”
• PRESCOTT VALLEY, Arizona: San Bernadino Sun – 2 Prescott Valley residents arrested in identity theft case; “Then, on October 28, a resident called police and reported that someone driving a black Kia Soul had dumped a large amount of opened mail in the Stone Ridge subdivision. Prescott Valley Police Officers located the vehicle and stopped it on Highway 69 near Prescott East Highway when they noticed more opened mail inside the vehicle.”
• FONTANA, California: NBC Los Angeles – Mail Theft Suspect Arrested in Fontana After High-Speed Pursuit; “Officers searched his car and found “numerous pieces of mail and altered checks,” along with methamphetamine and U.S. Postal keys, police said.”

• PRESCOTT VALLEY, Arizona: Daily Courier – Prescott Valley couple arrested on charges of identity theft, drug possession; “Detectives obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and for Allen and Walters’ home, where they found a trash can full of stolen mail, 1.3 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, multiple items that had been purchased with stolen credit cards, and four checks stolen from mailboxes.”

• TULSA, Oklahoma: FOX 23 – Police warn against leaving live checks in mailbox; “Police say the only way to keep this from happening is for residents to collect their mail right after it is delivered and shred live checks. For those unable to collect their mail as soon as it is delivered, police say a locked mailbox may be helpful.”

Nov. 5:

• FONTANA, California: The Sun – Rialto man suspected of mail theft following Fontana pursuit; “A Rialto man is behind bars after he was allegedly found with pieces of stolen mail following a high-speed pursuit through Fontana late Tuesday night.”
• ARTESIA, New Mexico: Argus Leader – Thieves target Artesia mailboxes: Law enforcement asks residents to be careful of packages delivered to their homes; “The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve contacted U.S. Postal Inspectors about the theft of mail from Atoka homes.”
• MCALESTER, Oklahoma: FOX 23 – McAlester police make arrests in mail theft ring; “McAlester police said thieves have been going around town stealing checks from mailboxes at homes and businesses.”
• EDDY COUNTY, New Mexico: New West 9 – Package Theft Rampant in Eddy County; “Eddy County Sheriff’s Office says there have been several mail thefts in the North Eddy County area recently.”

• ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: KOB 4 – ABQ police looking to return $200K in stolen goods; “”This was a highly-organized crime ring that included everything from bank and mail theft, to narcotics trafficking, property crime, residential burglary – all sorts of organized crime,” he said. The ring allegedly stashed everything at a home near Menaul and Louisiana. Police have arrested six of the nine suspects so far.”

• ARTESIA, New Mexico: KRQE 13 – Sheriff’s Department see increase in mail theft in Eddy County; “The Sheriff’s Department says it’s seeing a number of mail thefts in the Artesia area. The area getting hit the hardest is Atoka.”

Nov. 6:

• GRANTS PASS, Oregon: Mail Tribune – Emergency services, Nov. 6; “Mallory Michelle Tierney, 30, of the 2900 block of SW Ravenwood Drive, Grants Pass. Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies Thursday arrested Tierney on felony charges of first-degree criminal mistreatment, seven counts of aggravated identity theft, seven counts of aggravated theft and one count of felony mail theft. She was booked Thursday in jail.”
• OXNARD, California: Camarillo Acorn – Woman busted on mail theft charges; “Detective Larry Oriee of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said the mail and identity theft does not appear to be drug related. “Mail theft is usually fueled by the need to get fast money to purchase narcotics,” he said. “This was fueled strictly by the need for money.” They said detectives discovered she stole more than $270,000 from several victims’ bank accounts during a nine-month period to pay off her credit card balance.”

Nov. 7:

• FONTANA, California: Inland News Today – Mail thief fails to outrun police; “A suspected mail thief can add felony reckless driving to charges already pending against him.”

Nov. 8:

• TULSA, Oklahoma: Tulsa World – Third person arrested in alleged stolen mail, forgery scheme; “The three are accused of an extensive scheme in which information from stolen mail was used to create fake Oklahoma driver’s licenses and cash fraudulent checks, Detective Mike Heisten with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office said.”

Nov. 9:

• FONTANA, California: CBS LA – 3 Men, Woman Arrested In Connection With Ongoing Mail Thefts In Fontana; “A search warrant served on a motel room located in the 1300 block of North E Street in San Bernardino, along with a second residence, located more than 500 profiles that contained true identities, stolen checks, social security numbers, IP addresses and other financial information, detectives said.”

• SAN BERNADINO, California: Fontana Herald News – Three men, one woman arrested in connection with mail theft incidents; “Three men and one woman from San Bernardino were arrested on Nov. 5 in connection with the ongoing mail thefts that have been taking place in the local area, according to the Fontana Police Department.”

Nov. 10:

• FONTANA, California: CBS News – Mail thieves arrested, say So. Calif. police; “Police announced Monday that four suspects have been arrested in connection with ongoing mail thefts in a Southern California city, reports CBS Los Angeles.”
• TULSA, Oklahoma: KJRH – TSCO busts identity theft; citizens warned to check accounts, protect identity; “The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office cracked down on a major identity theft ring operating in the Tulsa area.”

• BAKERSFIELD, California: ABC 23 – Resident upset postal service isn’t protecting their mail; “She said criminals have been breaking into her community mailbox for more than a year, stealing everything they can get their hands on.”

• TULSA, Oklahoma: FOX 23 – Deputies: “Big Fish” in identity theft, counterfeiting ring faces nearly 1000 counts; “Deputies found stolen checks, stolen mail, more driver’s licenses, printers and computers.”

Nov. 11:

• WEST SEATTLE, Washington: West Seattle Blog – West Seattle Crime Watch: Mail theft; “Just wanted to email you about our locked mailbox being broken into and our mail stolen. We’re on the 4000 block of SW Myrtle St., and we’ve already reported it to the police and the Postal Inspector.”
• TRENTON, New Jersey: The Trentonian – Robberies lead November 11, 2015 Police Blotter; “Stolen Mail: Someone stole the contents of an envelope from a mailbox on Brickhouse Road. The envelope contained personal identification information.”
• MONTARA, California: Half Moon Bay Review – Montara post office hit again: Boxes rifled for second time this year; “Montara residents were greeted with an unwelcome yet not entirely unfamiliar surprise on Monday when dozens of post office boxes were discovered to have been broken into overnight.”
• JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colorado: FOX 31 – Thieves target mail, a problem that will grow as holidays get closer; ” ‘Tis the season for thieves to target your mail. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said it’s dealing with a rash of mail thefts ranging from Deer Creek to Conifer and all points in between.”
• JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colorado: CBS Denver – Mailboxes Busted Open, Contents Stolen For Fraudulent Purposes; “A week later, deputies received reports of a large number of locked mailboxes that had been burglarized. Investigators started receiving reports of victims’ personal information or financial information, like credit cards, checks and convenience checks being used in the Denver metro area.”

• MARANA, Arizona: Marana News – Marana police stop mail-theft ring: Tracking social media was key in case that covered multiple states, agencies; “Marana police detectives helped thwart the ring that was stealing checks and gift cards from mailboxes all over Pima County and used the social media accounts of the suspects to help catch them.”

Nov. 12:

• OAKHURST, California: Sierra Star – Mail theft on the rise; “The community of Oakhurst, and surrounding communities, have experienced an overwhelming increase in vandalism to mail boxes, and tampering and theft of mail. What was once a problem primarily from Thanksgiving to New Year is now a daily (or nightly) occurrence. Thieves have been known to follow the mail carrier, stealing packages and breaking into mail boxes in broad daylight, shortly after delivery.”
• MODESTO, California: The Modesto Bee – Modesto police, Postal Service see rise in mail theft: Crimes should be reported to both agencies; “Modesto police and the U.S. Postal Service say there’s been an increase in mail theft recently. “I would say we’ve seen a rise in the last three months,” Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Heather Graves said Thursday. There were 66 reports from Aug. 1 through Oct. 31, she said, compared with 38 in the three-month period before that.”

• MAPLE LEAF SEATTLE, Washington: Maple Leaf Life – Reports of mail theft continue in Maple Leaf; “Sorry to report that a set of locked mailboxes were pried open (guessing with a crow bar) and mail was stolen. This was in broad daylight and probably shortly after the mail was delivered in the early afternoon.”

Nov. 13:

• SALT LAKE CITY, Utah: Deseret News – Couple charged in extensive burglary ring; “Prosecutors allege that Dorsey and Bailey obtained these items from multiple locations, including residential burglaries and mail theft.”
• MCALESTER, Oklahoma: McAlester News – Police working on mail thefts; “The McAlester Police Department has been working on a crime spree where thieves are going around and stealing mail out of mail boxes. The thieves are looking for checks, such as your personal checks that you use when mailing bills or checks that credit card companies send you to write on your credit card account.” 
• SHAKOPEE, Minnesota: Shakopee Valley News – UPDATE: Shakopee police report; “Four incidents of mail theft were reported just after 3 a.m. on the 1200 block of Granite Court. Mail theft was reported at 9:24 a.m. on the 1200 block of Granite Court at 9:24 a.m.
• ST. CLOUD, Minnesota: KNSIRadio.com – Stolen Mail, Meth Found On Pair At Hotel Says Criminal Complaint; “Two people who overstayed their welcome at a hotel are now each facing a charge of felony mail theft. Investigators say when they searched the room they found over 100 pieces of stolen mail.”

• JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colorado: 9News.com – Mail stolen from locked mailboxes in Jefferson County; “Deputy Neuenfeldt is a crime prevention deputy. He says the mail has been stolen from clusters of mailboxes and individual mailboxes in the Deer Creek Canyon area, South Turkey Creek area, Chief Hosa Road near Interstate 70, parts of Genesee.”

• GLENDALE, California: LA Times – Police arrest man for alleged mail theft, possession of drug paraphernalia; “A 21-year-old man was arrested Thursday after he was caught on surveillance footage breaking into and stealing mail from an apartment building mailbox last month, officials said. Police reportedly found a methamphetamine pipe on him and arrested him on suspicion of burglary and possessing drug paraphernalia.”

Nov. 15:

• MCALESTER, Oklahoma: McAlester News-Capital – Police working on mail thefts; “The McAlester Police Department has been working on a crime spree where thieves are going around and stealing mail out of mail boxes. The thieves are looking for checks, such as your personal checks that you use when mailing bills or checks that credit card companies send you to write on your credit card account.“
• DUBOIS, Indiana: The Herald – Deputies seek tips on Dubois mailbox vandalism; “A large number of reports about mailbox vandalism in the Dubois area began coming in today.”
• TRENTON, New Jersey: Trentonian – Robberies and arson lead November 15, 2015 Trentonian Police Blotter; “Mail Theft: A UPS package that was delivered to a home located in the 1100 block of Newportville Road was stolen. The loss is estimated at $320.”
• JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colorado: High Timber Times – Rash of mailbox thefts reported in mountain areas, South Jeffco; “Numerous mailbox break-ins in South Jeffco and the mountain areas in early November are believed to be related, according to the Sheriff’s Office.”
• SPRINGFIELD, Missouri: Springfield News-Leader – Sheriff: SGF man stopped with IDs for 28 other people; “Deputies say after a routine traffic stop earlier this month they searched a Springfield man’s trunk and found identifying information – like credit cards and stolen mail – belonging to 28 different people.”

Nov. 16:

• LAKE COUNTY, Florida: Orlando Sentinel – Cops: Two Orlando residents arrested in Lake mail theft; “An Orlando man and woman were arrested Sunday for stealing mail in two neighboring Central Florida counties, deputies said.”
• GUILDERLAND, New York: WTEN 10 – Police: Shirtless man caught stealing mail in Guilderland; “Some mail was stolen while other envelopes were found scattered onto the street. Guilderland police said they received calls around 3 a.m. Monday morning from people living on Curry Road and in the Blackberry Estates neighborhood.”
• LAKE OSWEGO, Oregon: Lake Oswego Review – Thieves target cars, mailboxes in Lake Oswego; “Not only were six vehicles targeted in the Westlake and Mountain Park neighborhoods, but police said just about every house on Oriole Lane was hit in a mail-theft spree.”
• MARBLEHEAD, Massachusetts: Marblehead Patch – Police: Suspicious Man Asking for Money; Mail Theft Alert; “At 12:37 p.m., there was a report of an attempted mail theft on Cedar Street. The caller said the package was opened, but the item inside was not taken. She said she wanted to alert people to the possibility of more mail thefts in the area.”
• DUBOIS COUNTY, Indiana: Dubois County Free Press – Public help sought to identify mailbox vandals; “According to the department, on Sunday, they received a large number of reports of vandalized mailboxes.”
• LYNNWOOD, Washington: HeraldNet – Mail stolen from locked boxes; “During the week surrounding Veterans Day, a massive theft of mail was carried out by thieves who broken into dozens of key-locked and heretofore “secure” mailboxes at a north Lynnwood apartment complex located in Lake Serene neighborhood on Admiralty Way.”

Nov. 17:

• ST. LOUIS, Missouri: RiverBender.com – Man sentenced to federal prison for mail fraud and aggravated identity theft; “The convictions are the result of Brown and a co-conspirator stealing mail out of mailboxes. The stolen mail matter contained means of identification of other persons that included names, dates of birth and social security numbers.”
• DUBOIS, Indiana: WBIW.com – Dubois Co. Sheriff Looking For Mailbox Vandals; “The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public’s help locating the person or persons responsible for a recent rash of mailbox vandalism in the Dubois area.”
• UMATILLA, Florida: Daily Commercial – Couple arrested on mail theft charges; “An Orlando man and woman were arrested Sunday for allegedly stealing more than a hundred pieces of mail from homes in Lake and Marion counties.”

Nov. 18:

• LAKE COUNTY, Oregon: Lake County Examiner – Thefts and frauds inspected by Sheriff; “Three times during the past month stolen mail has been recovered in the Lakeview area.  Mail recovered Friday, Nov. 6 morning, which had been strewn along a Lakeview residential street, shows that it had been delivered by the Postal Service the day before.  Some of the mail recovered and turned over to local law enforcement had been opened while other mail items remain sealed.”
• COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho: 7thSpace.com – FBI: Bonners Ferry Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing Stolen Mail; “According to the plea agreement, in June 2014, Kootenai Tribal Police executed a search warrant at a residence where the defendant was residing. During the search, a Kootenai Tribal Officer seized a suitcase containing mail stolen from individuals in Idaho, Washington and Montana.”
• OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma: KFOR.com – Mail stolen from N.W. Oklahoma City home, owners believe thieves were tipped off about delivery; “A shopping spree with a stolen credit card. Thieves stole the card right out of the mailbox of a northwest Oklahoma City home. It was all caught on video.”
• ELIZABETHTON, Tennessee: Johnson City Press – Mail reported stolen in Watauga Industrial Park; “Several pieces of mail were reported stolen in the Watauga Industrial Park over the weekend. Terry Arnold, director of the Carter County Rescue Squad, complained to Cpl. Kirk Carrier of the Elizabethton Police Department that someone had removed the mail from mailboxes belonging to the Rescue Squad, International Paper Company, A-1 Auto Care and Matheson Machine Products.”
• BROWARD COUNTY, Florida: Sun Sentinel – Two men admit having mail that was stolen from condo mailboxes; “James Mathurin, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, who said he worked as a Fort Lauderdale camp counselor for the past five years, also pleaded guilty last month to two counts of possessing stolen mail.”
• LAKE COUNTY, Florida: Fox 35 Orlando – How to stop mail thieves; “Sunday, Lake County deputies arrested 47-year-old William McMurren and 38-year-old Jamie Johnson after catching them allegedly stealing more than one hundred pieces of mail!”

Nov. 19:

• WICHITA, Kansas: KSN.com – Tips from the top: Protecting your finances; “So far this year, Wichita police have investigated more than 150 cases of mail theft.”
• TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas: KEYETV.com – More mailbox break-ins reported in Travis Co.; “‘Tis the season for mailbox break-ins. It’s a problem KEYE TV first told you about yesterday. After our story aired, we got several tips on social media, about more mailboxes being broken into.”
• VENTURA COUNTY, California: Thousand Oaks Acorn – Mailboxes are targets for thieves: Not even USPS boxes are immune; “The department has seen a rise from three reported mail thefts in the county from September through October 2014 to 18 in September and October this year. It’s a crime that’s likely to grow with the arrival of the holiday season, officers said.”
• NEWBURY PARK, California: Thousand Oaks Acorn – Sheriff’s Blotter; “Nov. 8 Someone committed mail theft in the 3200 block of Peppermint Street.”
• LOUISVILLE, Kentucky: WAVE 3 – Man charged with stealing delivered mail; “A Louisville man is facing charges for theft of mail after it had been delivered to a home.”

Nov. 20: 

• SEQUIM, Washington: KOMP.com – Sequim man sent to prison for mail, ID theft; “A Sequim man will spend more than two years in prison and another two years of community custody for identity theft and stealing mail.”
• SPRINGFIELD, Missouri: OzarksFirst.com – Two Men Arrested of Resident Mail Theft in Greene County; “Two men are arrested in Eastern Greene County after being suspected of stealing resident mail.”
• SUNNYSIDE, Washington: Daily Sun News – Mail theft being investigated by deputies; “A deputy patrolling the SR-241 and surrounding county roads noticed something awry. He reported three mailboxes on SR-241, one on Ray Road and another on Van Belle Road had mail stolen from them.”
• MIDTOWN, Oklahoma: TulsaWorld.com – Midtown Post Office collection boxes vandalized; mail theft possible; “Outside mail collection boxes at the Donaldson Station Post Office, 1423 Terrace Drive, were vandalized Wednesday night, and postal officials think some mail might have been stolen.”
• BARBOUR COUNTY, West Virginia: WDTV – Two Arrested After Multi-County Mail Thefts; “Two people are behind bars after a multi-county string of mail thefts that started right in Barbour County.”

• LAKEWOOD, Colorado: CBS Denver – Neighbors On Alert After Woman Caught On Camera Breaking Into Mailbox; “A Lakewood neighborhood has banded together to deter mail thieves. Their actions come after home security cameras captured a woman digging through one homeowner’s mailbox.”

Nov. 21:

• KANSAS CITY, Missouri: Kansas City infoZine – Local Man Sentenced Again for Mail Theft; “A man with prior federal convictions for stealing mail was again sentenced in federal court Friday for stealing mail, following a police chase from a bank where he was attempting to cash a fraudulent check.”
• CHINO HILLS, California: Daily Bulletin – Three suspects arrested for theft, narcotics in Chino Hills; “Deputies recovered stolen mail from residents of Chino Hills, stolen credit cards, stolen social security cards, fraudulent credit cards, narcotics and equipment to manufacture fraudulent access cards, according to a San Bernadino Sheriff’s news release.”
• COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado: KKTV 11 – Stolen Vehicle Chase Ends in Colorado Springs; “11 News also learned authorities found stolen mail, stolen packages and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.”
• KANSAS CITY, Missouri: The Washington Times – Kansas City area mail thief sentenced for crimes; “A convicted mail thief has been sentenced to federal prison after trying to cash a fraudulent check at a Kansas bank and leading police on a chase.”
• WEST COVINA, California: SGVTribune.com – Suspects sought in West Covina mail theft; “Police asked the public Saturday for help in tracking down a pair of mail thieves whose crime was caught on camera.”

• THORNTON, Colorado: CBS 4 – Woman Captured On Surveillance Stealing Package; “Surveillance cameras captured a woman stealing a package from a Thornton family’s front porch in the middle of the day. Now that family hopes someone will recognize the suspect before she can strike again.”

• WEST COVINA, California: MyNewsLA.com – Hunt for couple stealing mail from home’s front porch; “West Covina Police were asking the public to help identify suspects who were spotted on a security camera while stealing mail from a home.”

Nov. 22:

• KANSAS CITY, Missouri: KSAL.com – Kansas City Area Mail Thief Sentenced For Crimes; “Hines admitted to stealing outgoing mail from rural mailboxes in Missouri and Kansas last summer. He used the stolen mail to write more than $8,000 of fraudulent checks.”
• DALY CITY, California: KRON 4 – Police asking for help identifying suspect in mail theft; “Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a person they believe stole mail from a Daly City home on Thursday, police said.”

Nov. 23:

• BAKERSFIELD, California: BakersfieldNow.com – Residents: Someone keeps getting into mailboxes; “Neighbors in a northwest Bakersfield area are frustrated that someone keeps opening up their “community” mailbox.”
• PORTSMOUTH, Virginia: WAVY 10 – Special Report: Porch Pirating – Online Shoppers Beware; “Investigators call mail and package theft a “crime of opportunity,” because it’s easy to commit, and may seem low risk.”
• DALY CITY, California: San Jose Mercury News – Daly City police asking for help identifying suspect in mail theft; “A camera caught the person’s image at 4:40 p.m. as he allegedly stole mail from a home on Schwerin Street, according to police.”
• DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nevada: Nevada Appeal – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office warns against mail theft; “The Sheriff’s Office said that they have gotten reports of mail stolen from mailboxes form the Topaz Ranch estates and the Gardnerville Ranchos areas recently.”
• SPRINGFIELD, Missouri: KY3.com – 2 repeat offenders are charged with stealing mail from rural boxes; “Two men are charged with stealing mail from postal boxes in eastern Greene County after sheriff’s deputies arrested them last Friday.”

• DALY CITY, California: The Daily Journal – Police asking for help identifying suspect in mail theft ; “Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a person they believe stole mail from a Daly City home on Thursday, police said.”

• BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma: NewsOn6.com – Broken Arrow Police Arrest Mail Theft Suspect They Say Cashed Stolen Check; “Mail theft in Broken Arrow has neighbors on alert. Police said the suspect didn’t just take money and gift cards, they said she was targeting outgoing mail, looking specifically for checks. A police report states officers searched Childers’ home and car and found 19 pieces of mail belonging to people and businesses at half a dozen addresses in Broken Arrow.”

Nov. 24:

• DRAPER, Utah: FOX 13 Salt Lake – Police step up patrols to track down thieves stealing mail; “Thieves are hitting up mailboxes in Draper neighborhoods early in the morning between 4-7 a.m. What’s even more alarming for neighbors is thieves have targeted the same areas three times in the past week.”

Nov. 25:

• MEDFORD, Oregon: Mail Tribune – Woman suspected in month-long ID theft run; “Police suspect a local woman of racking up thousands of dollars in purchases with fraudulent checks and stolen credit numbers over the course of a month and a half.”
• MARYSVILLE, Washington: HeraldNet – Arrest prompts tips to prevent theft of delivered packages; ““During the holiday season there is definitely a spike in package thefts,” said Jeremy Leder, an inspector with the U.S. Postal Service in Seattle.”
• COLOMA, California: FOX 40 – Gold Country Hit by Rash of Mail Thefts; “El Dorado County Sheriffs Detectives are looking for the mail thieves who tried to strike it rich in California’s historic gold rush town by burglarizing it’s post office.”
• SALT LAKE CITY, Utah: Herald Extra – Man arrested in theft of mail from at least 1,000 people; “Police have arrested a man accused of stealing mail from at least 1,000 people in and around the city of Draper.”
• LORENA, Texas: Our Town Texas – Lorena Man Sentenced to Federal Prison For Theft Of U.S. Mail; “A man was sentenced Tuesday in Waco’s federal magistrate court after he earlier pleaded guilty to stealing U.S. Mail from a mailbox in Lorena and cashing the check he took.”
• LOS GATOS, California: San Jose Mercury News – Blotter: Mail tampering reported in Los Gatos; “Mail tampering–On Nov. 21 at 11 p.m. on Bersano Lane. A mail tampering crime was reported. Mail tampering–On Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. on Brocastle Way. A mail tampering crime was reported.”
• SANTA CLARITA VALLEY, California: SCVNews.com – Blotter: Shoplifting, Mail Theft in Saugus; “A mail theft incident occurred near the 28700 block of High Ridge Drive. The suspect stole mail from the victim’s mail box.”
• THORNTON, Colorado: FOX 31 Denver – Package thefts hit Thronton neighborhood; how to keep it from happening to you; “This time of year, mail and package thefts rise as the holidays approach. Some people will follow delivery trucks and wait for them to drop off boxes so they can go in and snatch them up.”
• DRAPER, Utah: Good4Utah.com – Police Arrest Man They Say Stole Mail From Over One Thousand Victims; “Police say Humphreys was the main suspect in this case but to still be on alert for people driving through the neighborhoods, stopping at mailboxes and taking mail.”

• DRAPER, Utah: Deseret News – Draper man stole mail from hundreds of people throughout Salt Lake County; “”Pull up to a mailbox, reach in and grab the mail, and then leave. It happens that fast,” said Carpenter, snapping his fingers. “Five seconds, 10 seconds max.””

• DRAPER, Utah: Good4Utah.com – Missing mail? Police may have recovered it from mass mail theft situation; “From Christmas cards to bank statements, people’s personal information is now in the hands of Draper Police. Officers clearly have their hands full this Thanksgiving, and they say it is all thanks to 35 year-old Kevin Humphreys.”

Nov. 26:

• NEWPORT BEACH, California: Newport Beach Indy – NBPD Says ‘Tis the Season for Thievin’; “Mail is also often stolen during the holiday season, the message explains. Police recommend using a U.S. postal collection box or depositing mail inside the local post office. Never send cash or coins through the mail and when reordering checks, have them sent to the bank.”
• ORLANDO, Florida: WFTV.com – Mail thief ruining holidays for Orlando residents; “Numerous presents and other pieces of mail have disappeared from her mailbox. A few days after the first theft, the thief came back and did it again.”
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY, California: Champion Newspapers – Mail theft suspects arrested; “Three Los Angeles County residents wanted on suspicion of stealing mail in Chino Hills were arrested at a Pomona hotel, said Chino Hills Police Deputy John Vega.”
• FRESNO, California: ABC 30 – Mailbox break-ins have residents of a Northwest Fresno neighborhood feeling targeted; “There’s been a recent rash of mailbox break-ins along Alluvial Avenue near the San Joaquin Country Club. “They hit quite a few, postman said about 50 or 60,” said Karen Cartozian, who believes her locked mailbox was pried open sometime early Monday morning.”

Nov. 27:

• WEST FARMS, New York: Bronx News 12 – Resident receives mail theft warning in West Farms; “A Bronx resident says he received a warning from his post office advising him to stop using the neighborhood mailbox to send checks or cash.”

Nov. 28:

• FONTANA, California: The Press Enterprise – FONTANA: 3 mail theft suspects arrested; “Three people were arrested Friday, Nov. 27, after police say they stole mail from a Fontana neighborhood.”
• STOCKTON, California: Record Net – Mailbox thefts leave Stockton neighbors steaming; “Mail thieves have hit Jeff Lee’s north Stockton neighborhood for the second time in less than two years, and that makes him mad.”

Nov. 29:

• FAIRFIELD, California: KRON 4 – Police arrest pair in connection with mail theft; “Officers found the pair in possession of mail from several homes in the area, according to police.”
• FONTANA, California: The Sun – Three arrested for allegedly stealing mail in Fontana; “A resident of Hunter’s Ridge called police at about 10 p.m. to report suspects possibly stealing mail from the community mailboxes, according to a Fontana Police Department news release.”
• BENECIA, California: Benicia Patch – Tips Lead to Arrest of 2 Mail Theft Suspects; “Officers found the pair in possession of mail from several homes in the area, according to police.”

• MT. LEBANON, Pennsylvania: Trib Live – Package thefts can be prevented, police, experts say; “Mail carriers will deliver more than 600 million packages between now and Christmas, giving thieves ample opportunity to snatch an order from a doorstep before the customer does.

Nov. 30:

• FREMONT, Nebraska: Fremont Tribune – Man arrested for vandalizing mailbox; “A 29-year-old Fremont man was arrested for damaging a mailbox early Sunday morning, Fremont Police reported.”
• SPRINGFIELD, Missouri: KY3.com – Keep your mail, packages safe from thieves this holiday season; “So far they’ve made two arrests in connection with some of these crimes. One of the men, 28-year old Kyle Grimm has been charged with felony stealing. During the arrest, sheriff’s deputies found a check that been reported stolen from a mailbox earlier that morning.”
• FAIRFIELD, California: TheReporter.com – Two Fairfield men arrested for alleged mail thefts; “Two Fairfield men were arrested after police said they stole mail from multiple homes early Sunday morning.”
• LAS VEGAS, Nevada: LasVegasNow.com – Locals dealing with holiday  mail thefts; “However, people expecting packages have to be on the lookout for thieves.  Police said mail thieves recently broke into a couple of mailboxes near N. Durango Drive and W. Cheyenne Avenue.”
• FAIRFIELD, California: Daily Republic – Alert resident helps police catch mail theft suspects; “Police said an attentive resident stopped two people early Sunday morning from stealing mail from mailboxes.”
• STOCKTON, California: CBS Sacramento – Mail Thefts Mean Stockton Residents Have To Get Mail Direct From Post Office; “Mail in one neighborhood isn’t making it to its addressee as thieves have ravaged mailboxes to the point residents are being told to pick up their mail at the post office.”
• MERCED, California: Merced Sun-Star – Merced County woman sentenced in identity theft case; “Charges included mail theft, identity theft, check fraud, forgery, receiving stolen property, burglary and drug possession, the District Attorney’s Office said Monday. These cases involved more than 60 known victims in Merced County, Southern California and Nevada.”
• FAIRFIELD, California: KCRA 3 – Fairfield PD: Mail thieves caught red handed; Neighbors said they saw men acting suspiciously; “Two Fairfield men are in custody after officers caught them in possession of stolen mail, which is often the gateway crime to identity theft, police said.”

… and that concludes a very busy month from mail thieves. Stay safe out there!