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Calls of Suspicious Vehicle Leads to Mail Theft Arrests

Published: 01/12/2018




CALLS OF SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE LEADS TO MAIL THEFT ARRESTS

Early this morning around 2:40 a.m. on Friday, January 12, 2018, officers responded to the area of Tiger Trail Drive and Whitegate Avenue, regarding a suspicious vehicle driving around this Alessandro Heights neighborhood. This vehicle would stop frequently with the passenger would getting out and checking the door handles to other cars and houses. When officers arrived and began searching the area, they located the suspect vehicle in the area of Cactus Avenue and Dauchy Avenue.

As an officer was getting ready to make an enforcement stop on this vehicle, the occupants started throwing mail out of the windows. Assisting officers responded to assist and the occupants were detained. During a search of their vehicle, officers located stolen mail belonging to multiple victims who resided in the nearby neighborhood. A records check of the driver revealed he was on probation for stolen property and the passenger was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon.

Ramon Pedraza, 30-years-old of Perris, was arrested for mail theft, probation violations, and vehicle code violations. Angela Mercado, 25-years-old of Long Beach, was arrested for mail theft and parole violations. Both were later booked into jail.

If not for our community members calling in this suspicious activity in their neighborhood, these two suspects may have been able to commit more crimes in this area. It does not appear the suspects came across any unlocked cars or houses, so great job to those neighbors for keeping your homes and vehicles secure at night.