December 16, 2005

Locked Out

Vigilant Evergreen residents unite against mail theft

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Mailbox locks should be the 2005 sleeper-hit stocking stuffer for Evergreen families hoping to thwart a rising number in reported incidents of mail theft, San Jose Police Department Officer Alan Lee said Sunday.

The advice came after members of the SJPD staked out and arrested two female parolees currently in custody at the Santa Clara County Jail, in connection with a Nov. 28, face-to-face incident of mail-theft, which occurred on a less-than remote cul-de-sac in the Lakeside development located in the Evergreen Hills area of District 8.

Neighbors witnessed two female suspects open three consecutive mailboxes, rushing to gather the contents under arm before heaving it into a car, which they used to get away after a witness shouted, “Hey, what are you doing?”

“Our entire family had been cooped upstairs while we were having work done in our kitchen and we saw the two women emptying the mailboxes,” said one witness, who desired anonymity. “Thankfully my husband was able to get all seven numbers from the car’s license plate, and we called 9-1-1 immediately.”

The woman then stood watch, while her husband beckoned a neighbor and the two men gave chase in one vehicle. Police arrived on the scene a few moments later at the intersection of Aborn and San Felipe. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver sped off again, with mail sailing out the windows as part of the suspects’ efforts to ditch evidence.

With the driver performing erratic and potentially dangerous maneuvers on busy streets at approximately 4:15 p.m., officers decided not to pursue the chase, citing a greater risk posed to society than in apprehending the suspects at that time.

Two days later, authorities arrested 31-year-old Mona Rodriguez and 37-year-old Nancy Lara at Rodriguez’ residence. Rodriquez was booked, charged with evading a police officer and possession of stolen property, while Lara was held in violation of her parole.

“We can’t even say for sure how many times this happens each week,” said Officer Lee, of the stolen mail. “We have been telling neighborhoods that they need to be the eyes and ears for the police department. Generally they know what belongs in their area and if an unfamiliar car comes down your street. The police can’t tell what belongs on your street or not.”

Despite the arrests, neighbors fear the apprehended are not likely the sole perpetrators in recent activity. An incident of nearly identical circumstances involving a male suspect occurred just two weeks prior on Nov. 17 in the same general vicinity, and numerous other residents have reported similar experiences through the Lakeside Homeowner’s Association.

A major concern with mail theft is the resulting identity theft, a separate crime nearly always linked to theft. According to both law officials and the U.S. Postal Service’s Web site, criminals commonly extract vulnerable information such as checking account numbers, credit cards, checks to be cashed and Social Security information via bills and bank statements intended for unsuspecting residents.

“They’re looking for any sort of financial document,” continued Lee. “We found numerous stolen checks and stolen credit cards at the suspects’ residence.”

“We’re all looking out for each other now,” said one Lakeside woman who desired anonymity based on the nature of the crimes. “We’ve been in this house eight years and always felt safe, left doors unlocked, let each other watch houses when we go out of town. Now we’re on edge. These things are happening in broad daylight.”

“It’s certainly unsettling,” added a Lakeside man who also desired anonymity. “We don’t want them to think, ‘Oh, now he thinks he’s safe.’ We’re not sure what they are trying to do with the mail, or where anybody responsible for these sorts of things is now, whether they’ve been arrested for good or not.”

Police and residents each acknowledge the likelihood that additional parties are involved meddling with area mail and that it will require a long-term commitment from law enforcement and citizens alike.

According to Lee, however, one obstacle will always remain. Six to eight officers are on duty, responsible for the area spanning Tully Road to the hills at any one time. Often these officers are occupied with more urgent matters.

In that case, preventing mail theft, excluding outstanding circumstances, largely falls into the hands of residents.

Though Officer Lee did not endorse actually engaging in high-speed chases, he reiterated vigilance as an effective combatant to local mail theft.

The immediate recommendation issued by the San Jose Police Department is that residents acquire mailboxes that can be locked.

“It’s pretty bad because Evergreen is considered upper middle class, a rather wealthy area and a desirable target for this sort of thing,” said Lee. “Most of the mailboxes are located on the outside of homes and it makes the thieves’ job easy. They just drive up and down the street, accessing mailboxes and residents’ information. But if an entire neighborhood has locking mailboxes, the thieves are just going to have to find a new neighborhood.”