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Tag: mail theft

  • Mail theft concerns residents at Arden Fair Apartments in Sacramento

    Residents at the Arden Fair Apartments in Sacramento are dealing with recurring mail thefts, as surveillance footage shows a man breaking into mailbox clusters earlier this week. The video shared with KCRA captures a man in a black shirt prying open a set of cluster mailboxes, reaching inside, and taking the mail.”Thefts have kind of actually been pretty regular around the holidays. I think every single year we’ve had somebody break into our stuff,” said Isaiah Alexander.The recent case of mail theft happened on Monday.Chad Murphy, a resident, explained how he believes the suspected thief might have gained access to the gated complex. “For the last, I want to say week, someone’s put a brick to hold the door open . And yesterday I took it, and I chucked it. And that hasn’t been happening,” Murphy said.The property management has responded by installing two surveillance cameras directed at the mailboxes and upgrading to a new set of cluster mailboxes. “Those are brand new. He’s trying to upgrade it so they can’t steal,” Murphy said. Long-time resident Isaiah Alexander shared his perspective on the situation with KCRA. “Every year, it’s someone getting in them,” Alexander said. When asked if more could be done, he expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of on-site security. “What can you do, really, unless you have somebody on site?” Alexander said. “If you have on-site security, they’re putting themselves at risk. And during the holidays. I don’t know if it’s even worth it.”The property manager confirmed that the crime has been reported to the police.Sacramento police released a statement regarding the case:”If people see anything suspicious, they can contact the Sacramento Police Department. We work in coordination with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate these incidents. People can report mail theft, tampering, or mailbox vandalism to the US Postal Inspection Service 24-hour dispatch at 1-877-876-2455 or visit USPIS.gov for more information.We recommend people check their mail daily, hold it at the post office if going out of town, regularly monitor for deliveries, and don’t leave packages unattended.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Residents at the Arden Fair Apartments in Sacramento are dealing with recurring mail thefts, as surveillance footage shows a man breaking into mailbox clusters earlier this week.

    The video shared with KCRA captures a man in a black shirt prying open a set of cluster mailboxes, reaching inside, and taking the mail.

    “Thefts have kind of actually been pretty regular around the holidays. I think every single year we’ve had somebody break into our stuff,” said Isaiah Alexander.

    The recent case of mail theft happened on Monday.

    Chad Murphy, a resident, explained how he believes the suspected thief might have gained access to the gated complex.

    “For the last, I want to say week, someone’s put a brick to hold the door open [of the gate]. And yesterday I took it, and I chucked it. And that hasn’t been happening,” Murphy said.

    The property management has responded by installing two surveillance cameras directed at the mailboxes and upgrading to a new set of cluster mailboxes.

    “Those are brand new. He’s trying to upgrade it so they can’t steal,” Murphy said.

    Long-time resident Isaiah Alexander shared his perspective on the situation with KCRA.

    “Every year, it’s someone getting in them,” Alexander said.

    When asked if more could be done, he expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of on-site security.

    “What can you do, really, unless you have somebody on site?” Alexander said. “If you have on-site security, they’re putting themselves at risk. And during the holidays. I don’t know if it’s even worth it.”

    The property manager confirmed that the crime has been reported to the police.

    Sacramento police released a statement regarding the case:

    “If people see anything suspicious, they can contact the Sacramento Police Department. We work in coordination with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate these incidents. People can report mail theft, tampering, or mailbox vandalism to the US Postal Inspection Service 24-hour dispatch at 1-877-876-2455 or visit for more information.

    We recommend people check their mail daily, hold it at the post office if going out of town, regularly monitor for deliveries, and don’t leave packages unattended.”

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Portland Man Charged With Stealing Mail – KXL


    Blender:File:C:UsersleoDesktopMail Security. MGN Image.

    PORTLAND, OR – According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon, Michael John Peters, 42, of Portland, has been charged with stealing mail from condominium and apartment complexes in Northwest and Southwest Portland.

    Court documents indicate that from May to September of this year Peters used counterfeit or modified postal keys to access mailboxes on at least 12 occasions.  Authorities said U.S. postal inspectors, who working with the Portland Police Bureau, executed a federal search warrant on September 23rd at an apartment in the Pearl District that Peters rented using a stolen identity.  In the apartment, investigators said they found evidence of identity theft, which included approximately 300 pieces of mail that were not addressed to Peters, false identification documents, stolen identity documents, and counterfeit checks.

    Peters made his first appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in federal court on September 25th.   The judge ordered him detained pending further court proceedings.

    More about:


    Tim Lantz

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  • Mail fraud ring busted in Santa Clara County; 12 suspects arrested

    Mail fraud ring busted in Santa Clara County; 12 suspects arrested

    A dozen people were arrested in Santa Clara County over an alleged mail theft perpetrated by a fraud ring earlier this month, according to police.

    The Santa Clara Police Department said that around 4:10 a.m. on Aug. 5, officers were alerted to a reported mail theft in the 1900 block of Hillebrant Place in Santa Clara. Investigators later found surveillance footage of the crime which showed someone fleeing the scene in a black Lexus.

    Detectives found and surveilled the vehicle, police said. Patrol officers then pulled it over and detained its driver.

    “The investigation revealed the suspect was associated with a major fraud ring specializing in mail theft, operating in Santa Clara County. (Burglary Arson Major-Fraud) detectives identified two fraudulently rented apartments where the suspects conducted their operation. Detectives obtained arrest warrants and search warrants for the suspects and their locations to disrupt and dismantle the operation,” police said.

    Then on Wednesday morning, detectives served search warrants in Santa Clara and San Jose. Nine suspects were nabbed. Detectives then executed another search warrant in the 500 block of Moreland Avenue at the Moreland Apartment complex in Santa Clara, where three suspects were also detained.

    “A search of the apartment revealed large amounts of stolen mail, U.S. Postal mail keys, a U.S. Postal mail uniform, U.S. Postal mail locks, narcotics packaged for sales, electronic gambling machines, narcotics paraphernalia, body armor, notebooks containing Personal Identifying Information (PII), and suspected stolen property. The suspected stolen property included identification cards, checkbooks, passports, license plates, credit cards, and documents belonging to dozens of victims. All 12 suspects were arrested for outstanding felony warrants and other charges related to the possession of stolen property, narcotics, fraud, and resisting arrest,” police said.

     
    The suspects were identified as Ngoai Nguyen, 42; Melizza Hufana, 43; Raquel Tendencia, 34; Lim Vo, 30; Sean Finn, 43; Paolo Bartido, 39; Glenn Nguyen, 32; Vu Thi, 38; Dary Pech, 41; Christie Entac, 33; Eun Chong, 34; and Tiffany Terada, 42.

    Anyone with information or potential evidence in connection with the reported mail theft at Hillebrant Place is asked to contact police at (408) 615-4818 or PBaldassari@santaclaraca.gov. Information can also be provided anonymously through (408)-615-4847.

    CBS San Francisco

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  • $100K reward offered for conviction of suspected mail thieves, vandals in the Loop

    $100K reward offered for conviction of suspected mail thieves, vandals in the Loop


    CHICAGO (WLS) — The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people suspected of vandalizing postal service trucks and stealing mail in downtown Chicago.

    The suspects are believed to be younger men who wear face masks and dark clothing and work in teams of three or four in the Loop.

    The postal inspection service released photos of one suspect, who is typically the driver of the suspect vehicle. He is described as being his early 20s and between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-2. He has a large build.

    You can contact the postal inspection service at 1-877-876-2455.

    SEE ALSO | Man caught on camera stealing mail from North Side homes: ‘He thinks he can get away with it’

    INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

    Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.



    WLS

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  • Stolen packages could put a chill on the holiday season. Here’s how experts say you can thwart porch pirates.

    Stolen packages could put a chill on the holiday season. Here’s how experts say you can thwart porch pirates.

    A doorbell rings. A notification lights up your phone. You check the front door. A package has arrived! Or so you hope.

    Whether it’s a Christmas present, household essentials for the family holiday party or tonight’s takeout, Americans live in a world increasingly delivered to their doorsteps. 

    And porch piracy — when a package is stolen right off someone’s front steps in broad daylight — is also increasing, with thieves getting away with billions in goods since 2020. According to estimates from online guides SafeWise and Security.org, the number of stolen packages in the last 12 months alone ranges from 100-250 million in the United States, totaling anywhere between $6-20 billion.

    But, that last couple of feet from the doorstep to inside your home is where the greatest risk of package theft from porch pirates can occur, experts say, and consumers should be prepared — especially as this year could set new holiday sales records for online shopping.

    The United States parcel shipping industry has unsurprisingly boomed in the post-pandemic era. According to data compiled by shipping logistics analysts at Pitney-Bowes, 58 million packages per day were shipped to addresses across the country in 2022. That’s 674 deliveries per second.

    Experts say figuring out the scope of the problem is extremely difficult. Ben Stickle, a professor of criminal justice at Middle Tennessee State University and a leading authority on package theft, said some state agencies and many police jurisdictions do not distinguish between types of thefts, whether they are face-to-face robberies or porch pirates. The crime itself is only classified as a felony in eight states.

    “A lot of what we know is based on consumer surveys, with sample sizes varying,” said Stickle. “New laws are being introduced as a separate statute to [account] for package theft, but enforcement of those penalties is hard.” 

    While there may be increased awareness with the help of technology and some proactive measures from companies, said Stickle, what was once a typical crime of opportunity has developed to a black market of organized porch pirates inventing new ways to swipe parcels, like robbing the delivery truck itself.

    “Package robberies from vehicles is something we are aware has become more popular in recent years,” said Master Corporal Lewis Briggs III of the Delaware State Police. “Our mission is always to keep the community safe and prevent these robberies at every step of the transaction.”

    Local law enforcement such as police in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, have tried putting out fake “bait” packages with GPS devices to track down porch pirates and get them off the streets.

    But not all solutions have been equally effective. Bait packages and doorbell video surveillance cameras to catch package thieves in the act haven’t provided evidence they help prevent the crime, Stickle said.

    Stickle’s research into video surveillance camera use, such as the popular Ring doorbell, found “whether some conceal their identity, or others look directly at the camera, they still take the package.” He said he’s not convinced they are a true deterrent. 

    “The video is a factor, but only helps police sometimes, and after the package is already gone,” he said.

    Meanwhile, shipping companies are turning to new tools, even as the industry faces its own headwinds. For example, UPS, one of the major four shipping companies alongside Amazon, FedEx and the Postal Service, is using artificial intelligence and analytics to determine high-risk deliveries and help prevent loss through the entire process. The four major shippers account for nearly 98% of all U.S. packages delivered, according to national shipping data. 

    Industry analysts like Pitney Bowes said the sheer volume of holiday packages means shipping companies have a hard time just keeping up with daily logistics like vehicle availability or properly vetting drivers — which is why you might see a delivery dropped off by a rented U-Haul truck, for example.

    “It will take a combination of efforts on all four parties, consumers, retailers, distributors, and law enforcement,” said Stickle. “Retailers usually end up taking the brunt of the problem by shipping new items and accepting losses.”

    How to prevent package theft

    There are a few things law enforcement agencies and experts recommend to help prevent package theft:

    • Requesting a signature requirement for a package to be delivered
    • Scheduling a delivery time for when someone is home
    • Asking a neighbor or community member to bring in any packages while you are away
    • Using a smart locker or secure device for packages

    Stickle said smart lockers, which offer an extra barrier for anyone trying to quickly nab a package off a stoop or inside the front door of an apartment building, are one of the most tangible solutions. “It’s really time that we rethink the front porch. You know, we don’t design porches to be the center of commerce, but it’s becoming that,” he said.

    In addition to new tech, the best way to stay alert in your neighborhood, police say, is to communicate. “Community engagement on social media platforms like the NextDoor app have helped [law enforcement] and neighborhoods stay informed,” said Briggs.

    This holiday season, as the envelopes and boxes fly across the country by the billions, It’s important to stay informed about the risks with porch pirates on the prowl and know how to keep those last few feet from your doorstep to your home open for delivery.

    Nick Kurtz

    DC Bureau Assignment Editor covering justice, science, education and politics.

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  • Avoid mailing your checks, experts warn. Here’s what’s going on with the USPS.

    Avoid mailing your checks, experts warn. Here’s what’s going on with the USPS.

    U.S. Postal Service sends warning to not send checks through the mail


    U.S. Postal Service sends warning to not send checks through the mail

    02:55

    A surge in crimes targeting the U.S. Postal Service has some experts warning Americans against sending their checks through the mail.

    The USPS last month cautioned that it has seen an increase in attacks on letter carriers and mail fraud incidents, with 305 mail carriers robbed in the first half of fiscal year 2023, on pace to exceed the previous year’s 412 robberies. At the same time, fraudsters are targeting mailboxes, either stealing letters directly from residents’ homes or from the blue USPS collection boxes, the postal service said.

    The rise in crime targeting postal carriers and mailboxes heightens the risk that mailed checks could be stolen, as has been documented in incidents across the nation. For instance, a rash of thefts from blue collection boxes in Milwaukee led to the break up last month of a criminal ring. The suspects allegedly used stolen “arrow keys,” or a universal USPS key that opens mail collection boxes, to pilfer mail, including more than 900 stolen checks, according to a criminal complaint.

    The theft issues have prompted the USPS to advise that Americans avoid depositing mail in blue collection boxes or leaving it in their own mailboxes for a carrier to pick up. Instead, the agency is now recommending that patrons come inside their local post office to securely send mail.

    Experts concur with the advisory to only mail checks at the post office. 

    “If you are choosing to mail a check, it is always recommended that you use a secure mail drop such as inside a post office versus an unsecured public-facing mailbox,” Caitlin Driscoll of the Better Business Bureau told CBS Pittsburgh. 

    Why is mail theft on the rise?

    In an email to CBS MoneyWatch, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said mail theft is increasing as part of a broader national trend of “increased crime patterns.” 

    The U.S. Postal Inspection Service reported roughly 300,000 complaints about mail theft in 2021, more than double the prior year’s total. In some cases, criminals are attacking mail carriers and stealing their deliveries. In others, fraudsters are using arrow keys to gain access to postal boxes to take letters, checks and other valuables. 

    A 2020 report from the postal service’s Office of Inspector General found that the agency didn’t know how many arrow keys were in circulation or how many had been stolen, raising concerns about the security of collection boxes.

    What is the USPS recommending?

    The U.S. Postal Service said that people should avoid allowing either incoming or outgoing mail from sitting in their mailboxes for too long.

    “You can significantly reduce the chance of being victimized by simply removing your mail from your mailbox every day,” the agency said in a statement. 

    The agency also recommends that people post mail inside their local post office or at their workplace; alternatively, they can hand their mail directly to a mail carrier. However, the USPS itself hasn’t issued any specific guidance on mailing checks, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service told CBS MoneyWatch.

    “Our recommendations are provided as an extra precaution for those who feel more comfortable taking their mail to the Postal Office,” the agency said. 

    What could happen if my check is stolen?

    Thieves use a technique called “check washing” to scam you out of your money. That involves using chemicals that erase your writing on the check, such as the name of the recipient and the amount of the check. Once the payment is blank, they can fill in new information, including the amount. 

    In one case, a man mailed a $42 check to pay a phone bill and was shocked when it was cashed for $7,000, paid out to someone he’d never heard of. In another case, nearly 60 individuals last year were arrested in Southern California on charges of committing more than $5 million in check fraud against 750 people.

    How many people still use checks?

    It’s true that check usage is declining, but Americans still wrote 3.4 billion checks in 2022. That’s down from 19 billion checks in 1990, but it still gives criminals plenty of opportunity for fraud. 

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  • 911 call reveals moments after mail carrier was robbed at gunpoint in Green Township

    911 call reveals moments after mail carrier was robbed at gunpoint in Green Township

    A 911 call reveals the moments after a mail carrier was robbed at gunpoint in Green Township on Monday.”My mail delivery carrier just got held up and his keys stolen in front of my house,” the caller on the phone told a dispatcher. “I think he had a gun.”Police say around 10:50 a.m. Monday morning, a USPS mail carrier was robbed at gunpoint while working on White Oak Drive.”He’s holding up the mail carrier?” the dispatcher asked. “He did. He’s gone,” the caller said. Nick, who wants to withhold his last name, called 911 when he saw the carrier in distress. “It’s a bit unnerving. It’s a little surreal. It shakes you a bit,” Nick said.Police say the suspect stole the postal worker’s keys from the mail carrier and fled in a small dark-colored SUV south on Cheviot Road.Green Township Police say no arrests have been made yet in this latest incident. If anyone has any information you’re asked to contact the police or the United States Postal Inspectors.

    GREEN TOWNSHIP, Ohio —

    A 911 call reveals the moments after a mail carrier was robbed at gunpoint in Green Township on Monday.

    “My mail delivery carrier just got held up and his keys stolen in front of my house,” the caller on the phone told a dispatcher. “I think he had a gun.”

    Police say around 10:50 a.m. Monday morning, a USPS mail carrier was robbed at gunpoint while working on White Oak Drive.

    “He’s holding up the mail carrier?” the dispatcher asked. “He did. He’s gone,” the caller said.

    Nick, who wants to withhold his last name, called 911 when he saw the carrier in distress.

    “It’s a bit unnerving. It’s a little surreal. It shakes you a bit,” Nick said.

    Police say the suspect stole the postal worker’s keys from the mail carrier and fled in a small dark-colored SUV south on Cheviot Road.

    Green Township Police say no arrests have been made yet in this latest incident. If anyone has any information you’re asked to contact the police or the United States Postal Inspectors.

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