Santa Clara Police Reportedly Uncover Major Mail Theft and Fraud Ring; 12 Arrested
Santa Clara police have arrested twelve individuals in connection with an alleged major mail theft and fraud ring, according to a department press release.
Just after 4 a.m. on Aug. 5, officers responded to the 1900 block of Hillebrant Place in Santa Clara to investigate an alleged mail theft incident. Surveillance footage from the scene reportedly showed the suspect fleeing in a black Lexus.
Over the following week, detectives from the department’s Special Enforcement Team located and surveilled the suspect vehicle. Patrol officers conducted an enforcement stop and identified the vehicle’s driver.
Burglary Arson Major-Fraud detectives reportedly discovered that the suspect was connected to a significant fraud ring operating in Santa Clara County, which specialized in mail theft.
Detectives identified two fraudulently rented apartments where the suspects allegedly conducted their operation. Authorities obtained search and arrest warrants related to the investigation.
On the morning of Aug. 14, detectives served search warrants in Santa Clara and San Jose. During the search in San Jose, nine suspects were detained. Following this, detectives served a second search warrant at the Moreland Apartment complex on the 500 block of Moreland Ave. in Santa Clara.
Three additional suspects were detained and identified inside the apartment.
Investigators reportedly confiscated large amounts of stolen mail, United States Postal mail keys, a United States Postal uniform, United States Postal locks, suspected narcotics packaged for sales, electronic gambling machines, narcotics paraphernalia, body armor, and notebooks containing personal identifying information.
The suspected stolen property included identification cards, checkbooks, passports, license plates, credit cards, and documents linked to dozens of victims.
Authorities reportedly arrested a total of 12 suspects on outstanding felony warrants and other charges related to the alleged possession of stolen property, narcotics, fraud, and resisting arrest.
The Santa Clara Police Department identified the suspects as Ngoai Nguyen, 42; Melizza Hufana, 43; Raquel Tendencia, 34; Lim Vo Age, 30; Sean Finn Age, 43; Paolo Bartido, 39; Glenn Nguyen, 32; Vu Thi Age, 38; Dary Pech, 41; Christie Entac, 33; Eun Chong, 34; and Tiffany Terada, 42.
The investigation is active and ongoing, police said.
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