SAN RAFAEL— Two suspects have been arrested on suspicion of mail and identity theft. Apartment complexes are frequent targets as Marin County authorities report an uptick in such thefts.
Earlier this month, San Rafael police responded to reported mail theft at an apartment complex on San Pablo Avenue. The property manager provided police with a video of a man and woman stealing mail.
Two suspects were identified by San Rafael detectives, working with detectives from the Marin County Coordination of Probation Enforcement team.
A woman in a wheelchair was identified as one of the suspects, Emily L. Cote, 29, who frequents San Rafael. The second suspect is Kevin K. Mercure, 31 who also frequents San Rafael. Neither has a permanent address.
Cote and Mercure were located March 17 on Redwood Boulevard in Novato and detained. Detectives later identified them as the suspected mail thieves, and they were arrested on March 18.
Cote was already in jail when arrested again on March 18. She in custody on March 17 for unrelated charges for battery, possession of narcotics, among other charges.
Authorities executed a search warrant at a Novato hotel where both suspects were staying. Clothing matching the clothing worn by the mail thieves in recorded video evidence was found there.
Mail and other personal identifying information belonging to hundreds of persons were recovered as evidence. The victims live in various states.
Cote was booked for identity theft, receiving stolen property, burglary, and conspiracy to commit a crime. She has a long rap sheet including 12 prior drug- related arrests.
Likewise, Mercure was booked on the same charges for identity theft, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy. He also has prior arrests for identity theft, and illicit drug possession.
