Eugene Police Patrol, Investigations, Crime Prevention Unit and Crime Analysis Unit have been keeping their eyes on the mail theft sprees, which have continued despite some arrests. Currently the department is investigating leads, tracking the thefts, providing additional patrol resources to these crimes, and working with the postal inspector and local post offices.
An analysis of the mail theft patterns has found:
• The mail theft has spread out and the thefts appear to be perpetrated by multiple suspects
• Cluster-style mail boxes have been targeted by thieves who force or pry them open
• Recent areas affected include:
Near Hendricks Park
Southwest Eugene, south of 18th Ave, between Bailey Hill Road and Chambers Street
North Eugene, east of River Road
What you can do:
EPD would like the extra eyes of the public to report suspicious activity, tips and mail theft via the non emergency line at 541.682.5111. To report crimes in progress or suspected crimes in progress call 911. To protect your mail:
• Place outgoing mail in a secured box, such as the large boxes in high traffic areas (like those at workplaces) at the post office.
• Remove delivered mail as soon as possible after delivery. Don’t leave in box overnight.
• Stop mail while away for vacation
EUGENE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
May 12, 2016
Mail Theft Spree Continues, Two Arrested
EPD has been documenting and investigating a continuing trend of mail thefts. So far, two individuals have been arrested: Avery Weltch, age 23; and Adrienne Leanne Post, 27. In that case, on May 11, at 6:08 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a report of mail theft and began searching for two suspects, later identified as Brandon Avery Weltch, age 23, and Adrienne Leanne Post, age 27. He found them standing next to bicycles they had been riding, in front of a cluster of mail boxes in the 2700 block of Payne. Weltch had envelopes in his possession and Post had an envelope as well. The officer continued investigating and found a meth pipe, additional envelopes, and bolt cutters. Weltch was arrested for Identity Theft, Mail Theft, Possession of Theft Tools, and Possession of Controlled Substance Methamphetamine. Post was charged with Identity Theft and Mail Theft. They were both taken to Jail. Case 1607579
The new thefts are from the following areas:
1300 block of Bond Lane, 4/30/16
1400 block of Ranchwood Drive, 5/2/16
100 Block of E. Hilliard Lane and River Road, 5/5/16
1400 block of Grant Street, 5/7/16
700 block of E. 36th Avenue, 5/7/16
3100 block of W. 13th Place, 5/7/16
Mail was found along a local river and the addresses were from mail boxes in the 600 block of East Lone Oak Avenue, Justine Place, Justine Court, Stultz Avenue and Copping Avenue. There was an additional report of found mail in the Grand Cayman Drive area from addresses on Norkenzie Road, Corum Avenue, Linnea Avenue & Stone Crest Drive.
EUGENE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
(May 3, 2016)
Eugene Police issued a news release on April 14, 2016, we have continued to receive reports of mail theft occurring in the northeast, northwest and southeast Eugene neighborhoods, specifically:
2800 block of Matt Drive, 4/20/16
200 block of N. Adams Street, 4/23/16
1300 block of Bond Lane, 4/30/16
3000 block of Floral Hill Drive, 4/18/16
200 block of E 2nd Avenue, 4/17/16
200 block of E 2nd Avenue, 4/13
200 block of Washington Street, 4/12/16
4000 block of Torrington, 3/31/16
First block of E. Hatton Avenue/Lanson Lane, 3/21/16
1300 block of Briarcliff Lane, 3/20/16
600 block of River Loop 1, 3/16/16
600 block of Dean Avenue, 3/25/16
100 block of Thomason Lane, 3/9/16
EUGENE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
(April 14, 2016) Watch for Mail Thieves
Eugene Police Crime Analysis Unit has noted more incidents involving mail theft over the last few weeks. There was a report recently where several cluster-style mailboxes were broken into the in the River Road area.
While looking through new property crime cases for stolen valuables to compare with items sold in second hand stores, a member of the Crime Analysis Unit identified a stolen mail trend. Crime Analysis quickly collaborated with their colleagues in Crime Prevention, who in turn notified the River Road neighbors.
EPD’s Crime Analysis unit works to locate and provide areas and times that crimes are most likely to occur. Then disseminate that information to EPD command for deployment. Crimes range from violent to property to quality of life. Crime analysis works closely with command staff, detectives, officers, and many others to provide hard to find answers.
If you see mail theft in progress, call 911. If you have information or surveillance images on mail theft occurrences, please call the non-emergency line at 541.682.5111.
Here are tips from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service about protecting your mail:
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/mailfraud/fraudschemes/mailtheft/tipthieves.aspx