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Postal inspectors warn of surge in mail theft; urge residents to report and secure mail
Summary
Federal postal inspectors and Murrieta police briefed council on a sharp regional increase in mail-theft reports, rising identity-fraud risks and prevention steps; they urged residents to avoid leaving mail unattended and to report incidents so investigations can connect repeated offenders.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Murrieta Police joined the council Oct. 21 to brief members on a regional surge in mail theft and identity-related fraud and to describe coordinated steps to detect and prosecute thieves.
Postal Inspection Service supervisor Derek Baker said mail and the personally identifiable information inside it are valuable to criminals who use stolen mail to assume identities, open accounts or perpetuate wider fraud. He urged residents not to leave mail unattended and to promptly report suspected theft to local police as the first investigatory step. "If you believe you're a victim, keep those copies," Baker said, explaining that victim-supplied documents speed investigations.
Baker provided a snapshot of regional reporting: roughly 150 reports in 2024 under the federal inspection service's caseload and a sharp increase in 2025, "at least a 97% increase" based on federal reports to inspectors. The inspectors described partnerships with the Murrieta Police Department, shared investigations and a task-force approach that helps link thefts across jurisdictions and identify organized activity. Inspectors said some incidents remain misdemeanor-level by value thresholds but that repeated thefts and connected investigations can be elevated to felonies.
Councilmember Stone asked whether the mail-theft offense has been reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor; federal and state standards differ and local prosecutors can use code subdivisions to connect multiple incidents for more serious charges. Murrieta police confirmed successful local prosecutions in some investigations and said the partnership with the postal inspection service improves the ability to identify and prosecute organized offenders.
Council requested outreach to vulnerable neighborhoods and senior-facility operators to replace missing mailbox units and to provide outreach presentations; postal inspectors and police volunteers agreed to coordinate community meetings and provide reporting resources.
The inspectors encouraged residents to use the federal reporting portal and to call the local police for immediate response. Local law enforcement and postal inspectors said they will continue joint operations and public education to reduce theft and identity fraud.
