Lillian Norman booking photo
SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz Police have arrested a serial mail thief who’s been on the loose for some time.
Arrested was 30-year-old Lillian Norman of Santa Cruz on numerous warrants, mail theft, possession of drugs, and drug paraphernalia after an alert citizen noticed her opening people’s mailboxes on Tuesday afternoon and called police.
A responding officer quickly located the woman matched the description. At the time, Norman was carrying mail belonging to a resident on Bixby Street. She was then taken into custody.
During the arrest, a syringe and needle loaded with heroin was found in her pocket. She had also been identified as a suspect in a mail theft case that happened on Escalona Drive on March 15.
In this case, police were able to find clear surveillance footage of her taking mail from mailboxes along the street.
Since January of last year, Ms. Norman has been arrested seven times by Santa Cruz Police for crimes ranging from burglary to drug possession, possession of stolen property, theft, and possession of another person’s ID.
Police also suspect that Ms. Norman is behind a number of other theft and burglary cases. Detectives are working to locate additional mail and property she may have stolen.
