Justin Rucker
SARATOGA — The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s West Valley Patrol Office has announced the arrest of a wanted mail thief. According to Sgt. Richard Glennon, “On October 22, 2017, West Valley Patrol Deputies arrested Justin Rucker for vehicular evasion of a peace officer, identity theft, mail theft, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and possession of altered checks.”
The suspect was identified by a West Valley Patrol Sargent in the area of Kirkmont Drive, and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road in Saratoga around 3:50 AM.
The West Valley Patrol Sheriff’s Sargent initiated a routine traffic stop in order to investigate 27-year-old Rucker’s suspicious behavior. As he approached, “Rucker began driving through a Saratoga resident’s front yard, running several stop signs, and exceeding the speed limit as the patrolling officer tried to initiate a traffic stop,” Glennon said.
During the chase Rucker struck a curb, blowing a tire and disabling his car. Once taken into custody, a search of the vehicle revealed numerous pieces of mail and altered checks totaling $80,000, and other miscellaneous materials associated with some 130 victims.
Unopened mail was returned to the post office for redistribution. Glennon said, “Rucker was in possession of mail from Saratoga, Los Gatos, and San Jose.”
Residents to call 408-299-2311 if they believe they are the victim of mail theft or identity theft. Also, the West Valley Patrol Division recommends residents to consult with the U.S. Post Office in order to gain approval for a locking mailbox.
