The Signal Hill Police Department (SHPD) has made another arrest related to a rash of mail theft and commercial burglaries that have occurred this year, according to the department.
On the morning of Nov. 30, SHPD detectives arrested the fifth suspect in the past three months in the case. During the course of the investigation, information led investigators to the Rodeway Inn in Signal Hill, where they positively identified and contacted a suspect responsible for a prior commercial burglary with a link to mail theft from early November. Minutes prior to being contacted by police, the suspect used a false name while renewing a contract with the motel, police said. The suspect was arrested for several fraud-related warrants as well as a probation warrant from Orange County.
A search warrant was granted later that afternoon. During the search of the motel room, approximately 78 stolen checks totaling more than $113,000 were discovered in the room as well as tools and materials used to alter checks and government identifications cards. While a majority of the victims are from Los Angeles County, five of the victim business are from Signal Hill as well as from various states including Missouri, Minnesota, Washington and Colorado. Two stolen US Mail locks were also found inside the motel room, as well as the tools and clothing used by the suspect during the commercial burglary. It is believed the US Mail locks were stolen for the purpose of make fraudulent keys to access additional mail boxes in the area, according to police.
Source: SHPD
