Detectives with the Mountain View Police Department have arrested two San Jose residents after recovering more than 1,500 pieces of stolen mail in a months-long investigation.
The case began following reports of mail theft in the 500 block of West Middlefield Road. Over two months, the department’s Crime Suppression Unit collaborated with patrol officers to identify suspects connected to the thefts.
On Jan. 16, multiple search warrants were executed across the Bay Area, resulting in the recovery of stolen mail linked to over 1,000 addresses in Mountain View and neighboring cities. Investigators also seized tools used to create fraudulent identification cards.
The suspects, Terri Maciel, 47, and Ruben Maciel, 34, were booked on numerous felony charges:
Terri Maciel:
Identity theft
Possession of identifying information with intent to defraud
Criminal conspiracy
Forgery
Burglary
Possession of stolen property
Possession of burglary tools
Falsifying vehicle registration
Drug-related offenses
Outstanding warrant from South San Francisco Police Department
Ruben Maciel:
Identity theft
Mail theft
Forgery
Conspiracy
Burglary
Possession of stolen property
Possessing altered or fraudulent vehicle documents
Drug offenses
Parole violation
Authorities confirm the investigation is ongoing and additional details have not yet been released.