IRVINE, CA — Two suspects are facing serious charges after being caught with stolen mail and mailbox keys in Irvine, thanks to the city’s license plate reader system.
The Irvine Police Department reported that one of their plate readers flagged a vehicle linked to prior mail theft incidents. Officers quickly located the car parked near a community mailbox cluster in the northern part of the city — an ideal location for what police called a “letter looter.”
Inside the vehicle, officers found a large trash bag filled with stolen mail and several mailbox keys. One of the individuals in the vehicle was on probation, allowing for a lawful vehicle search.
The suspects were identified as Tristian Quang Le, 54, of Anaheim, and Terri Thuy Vellpradit, 49, of Garden Grove. Both were arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on multiple felony charges, including:
Felony Identity Theft (PC § 530.5):
Punishable by 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Restitution is also required.
Possession of Burglary Tools (PC § 466):
Misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000.
Criminal Conspiracy (PC § 182):
Carries the same penalty as the crime conspired to commit. In this case, up to 3 years in prison.
Authorities also noted that one suspect’s probation status could result in enhanced sentencing or revocation. Since the crime involves mail theft, federal charges could be added, which may carry even more severe penalties.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the suspects are expected to face multiple counts given the volume of mail recovered.
