Photo: truck used in mail theft
FREMONT— Authorities investigating rising mail thefts recently arrested one suspect. Two other possible mail thieves were detained and subsequently arrested for unrelated crimes.
Citywide reports of mail thefts have been increasing. In response, Fremont undercover detectives searched several cities for a suspect recorded stealing mail on security cameras.
A 44-year-old Fremont transient, Carlos G. Lopez, was arrested on October 20. Lopez was apprehended in the parking lot of the Home Depot store, located at 5401 Thornton Avenue in Newark.
Lopez is believed responsible for committing several mail thefts beginning in May. He is suspected of stealing mail from two U.S. Postal Service trucks, while driving a stolen U-Haul pickup truck.
Lopez also allegedly stole mail from residents of Archstone Apartments on Civic Center Drive. He allegedly returned to the mailroom several times to purloin mail.
He also had three outstanding warrants for burglary in Milpitas, a stolen vehicle from San Jose, and a probation violation. Lopez has numerous prior arrests for burglaries, vehicle thefts and illicit drugs.
Lopez remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail, with three separate criminal cases pending against him. In addition to mail theft, his latest charges include burglary, possession of a controlled substance, and vehicle theft.
On October 19, police responded to a report of mail theft at the Altamar Villas apartment complex, located on Stevenson Boulevard. Christopher Villalobos, 20 of Fremont and Jason Hewitt, 27 of San Leandro were detained.
A witness reported seeing suspects rifling through mail, and charges for mail theft are under consideration. Meanwhile, both men were arrested for unrelated crimes.
Christopher Villalobos, 20 of Fremont, was arrested on five charges for possession of a loaded firearm and controlled substances.
Jason Hewitt, 27 of San Leandro, was arrested for possessing drug paraphernalia, and warrants for burglary and evading an officer.
