Photo courtesy of Eastvale P.D.
Eastvale mail theft suspect Paul Wagner

Courtesy Eastvale P.D.

EASTVALE-On March 1, 2016, members of the Eastvale Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) responded to the 700 Block of Villa De Luna, in the city of Corona, to conduct a follow up investigation related to ongoing mail theft in the Eastvale area.  Once there, SET located Paul Wagner, who had a felony warrant for his arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale.

During the investigation, members of the Eastvale Special Enforcement Team arrested Mr. Wagner.  A search warrant was obtained and during a search of Mr. Wagner’s residence, officers located over 100 stolen checks, 30 stolen credit cards, several washed checks, computer scanners, assorted tools used to break into mail boxes, and a U.S. Postal Service mailbox.  The mail and property recovered belonged to over 150 potential victims of theft and/or identity theft.  Victims were identified from Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Corona, Norco, Fontana and several other cities. Deputies will follow-up with potential victims to ensure all victims are notified and any criminal acts are documented and properly submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.  Information on crimes committed in other jurisdictions will be forwarded to the appropriate police agency.

Based on the evidence collected, members of the Special Enforcement Team gained a better understanding about how mail theft occurs and the techniques mail thieves are using to gain access to mailboxes.  The United States Postal Inspector’s office recommends the following actions to protect your mail:

• Use the letter slots inside your Post Office for your mail, or hand it to a letter carrier.
• Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you’re expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
• If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
• If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.
• Don’t send cash in the mail.
• Tell your Post Office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return.
• Report all suspected mail theft to a Postal Inspector.
• Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors, you can watch each other’s mailboxes (as well as homes).
• Consult with your local Postmaster for the most up-to-date regulations on mailboxes, including the availability of locked centralized or curbside mailboxes.
• If you see a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 (press 3).

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is committed to the safety of the citizens of Eastvale and will be vigilant in investigating all crimes of this nature. This investigation is ongoing and we are asking anyone with additional information to contact Deputy Ramirez at the Jurupa Valley Station at 951-955-2600.