I came across this article on HDDailyNews.com and it's so crazy I have to share it, in full, with you! Enjoy~

On Saturday, November 20, 2021, just before 1pm, Apple Valley California Police responded to a report of a car following a USPS mail truck.

The car was a gold Honda Accord with two subjects inside who were stopping and going through mailboxes. Just after 1:00 pm, another call was received about the same subjects taking mail from mailboxes.

While conducting an area check, Apple Valley Police located the gold Honda Accord near Lone Eagle Road and Redwing Road. A traffic stop was conducted, and contact was made with the passenger Marques King, a convicted felon with an active felony warrant, and the driver Marilyn Sandoval.

WHAT POLICE FOUND INSIDE THE CAR:

During a search of the vehicle, several debit cards, social security cards, identification cards, birth certificates, and unemployment paperwork, in various peoples' names, were located.

King and Sandoval were arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center for possession of personal identification of another of over ten people.  King is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. In addition to this charge, King was booked for the felony warrant.

Mail theft has come up before in the High Desert. Between December 2020 and March 2021 the Apple Valley Police Department had reports that there was approximately 17 reported cases of mail theft!

HOW TO CURVE MAIL BOX THEFT:

The United States Postal Inspection Service has tips for locals to protect themselves from potential mail theft:

1. Promptly pickup mail

Try not to leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time.

2. Deposit mail close to pickup time

Deposit outgoing mail into USPS® Blue Collection Boxes before the last collection or inside your local Post Office™.

3. Inquire about overdue mail

If you do not receive a check, credit card, or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the sender as soon as possible and inquire about it.

4. Use Hold for Pickup

When shipping packages, use the Hold for PickUp option, and the recipients can collect the package at their local Post Office.

5. Request signature confirmation

When mailing something important, consider requesting Signature Confirmation™ for the intended recipient.

6. File a change of address

If you move, make sure you file a change of address with the Postal Service and let your financial institutions know as well.

7. REPORT IT! Anyone who believes that are a victim of mail theft are asked to reach out to the United States Postal Inspection Service: 1-877-876-2455