Mailbox thief arrested by Elk Grove Police

Elk Grove police officers arrested a man suspected of stealing mail from cluster mailboxes. The suspect was apprehended with the help of the city’s license plate reader cameras located throughout the city. The suspect was also found in possession of keys used to unlock cluster mailboxes.

Thanks to surveillance footage and technology, an alleged mail theft suspect is behind bars. On January 4th, officers responded to a report of attempted theft from three cluster mailboxes.

Surveillance footage captured the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Stockton resident Misael Cazares, exiting the driver seat of a grey Chevy Silverado, and attempting to open the rear panel of the cluster mailboxes using what appeared to be a key.

The responding officer notified detectives of the information along with the suspect vehicle’s license plate, thanks to surveillance footage.

Cazares was found to be on probation and had two warrants out for his arrest for fraud. His vehicle was entered into our automated license plate reader system (ALPR) as a wanted vehicle.

About eight days later, while detectives were conducting follow-up, officers were alerted by our ALPR system that Cazares’s vehicle was back in the City. Officers found Cazares driving through the City and conducted a vehicle stop.

A probation search of his truck led to the discovery of fabricated keys used to make unauthorized entries in the USPS-secured mailboxes, credit/debit/ID cards belonging to others, numerous notes containing others’ personal identifying information such as social security numbers and dates of birth, a stolen business payroll check for over $200,000 made payable to a construction business, and a stolen check for $15,000 with the payee information removed.

Detectives were able to contact the owner of the business check totaling over $200,000 and arrange for them to get their check back.

Cazares was arrested for several charges, including unlawful possession of others’ personal identifying information, possession of burglary tools, and violation of probation. Cazares was later formally charged by the District Attorney’s Office with unlawful possession of others’ personal identifying information (Penal Code 530.5 (C)(3)- Felony), possession of burglary tools (Penal Code 466- Misdemeanor), and possession of stolen property (PC 496 (A)- Felony).

Elk Grove Police Department

Charges against Cazares

Photos courtesy Elk Grove Police Department