Full Notification

On the morning of November 30, 2014, Detectives from the Signal Hill Police Department arrested another suspect linked to the ongoing mail thefts and commercial burglaries that have been occurring in Signal Hill and Long Beach. To date, this is the fifth suspect arrested in the past three months. During the course of the investigation, information lead investigators to the Rode Way Inn in Signal Hill. The suspect responsible for a prior commercial burglary with a nexus to mail theft from early November, was positively identified and contacted inside a motel room at that location. Minutes prior to being contacted by police, the suspect used a false name while renewing a contract with the motel. 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 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.

Detective Sergeant Russ Hefte