Two mail theft suspects arrested in Saugus on Tuesday, August 12 are may also find themselves charged with burglary and grand theft. After receiving a call from a concerned neighbor, deputies arrived at a neighborhood near Plum Canyon and Rodgers Drive. When the deputies got there, the suspects were no longer attempting to break into anyone’s home. Instead, deputies caught them as they were driving away. When the suspects’ vehicle was searched, several UPS packages were discovered – all of which were addressed to homes in the neighborhood where the suspects were arrested.
California Penal Code 530.5 (e) PC makes it illegal to steal other people’s mail in the state of California. Theft crimes in California will typically depend on the value of the stolen merchandise. The crime of mail theft, though, is treated similarly to identity theft crimes. Most of the time, when mail is stolen, it’s by someone looking to get their victims’ credit or debit cards and use them, or attempt to cash checks.
Under 530.5(e) PC, “mail” is defined as letters, postcards, packages and mailbags. The crime of mail theft is committed when:
- Someone steals or takes any mail from an authorized receptacle (such as a mailbox) or other authorized depository from a mail carrier or post office
- Uses fraud or deception to obtain mail from any of the above sources
- Remove the contents of stolen mail (open the letters/packages)
- Destroy or hide stolen mail
- Buy, receive or possess stolen mail while knowing that it was stolen
Violations of 530.5(e) PC are misdemeanors under California law and carry the possible penalties of misdemeanor probation, up to 1-year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
According to deputies, the best way to combat mail theft is to give police a call if you notice anything that seems out of place in the neighborhood.