A traffic stop linked to a shoplifting at an Ulta store in Rocklin led police to uncover a larger mail and identity theft operation, with stacks of stolen mail from about a dozen residents in Gold River and Rancho Cordova recovered. Two people were arrested and booked on suspicion of petty theft with priors, conspiracy, and identity theft, and officers also found stolen merchandise from Ulta and other retailers in the vehicle. Investigators are continuing efforts to identify additional victims.
Arrests and what police found
Rocklin police say the two people in the car — 31-year-old Kayla Thomson of Sacramento and 36-year-old Freddie Uptain of Sacramento — were tracked down after officers responded to a reported shoplifting at an Ulta, then contacted the vehicle’s occupants. Inside, officers say they found stolen Ulta merchandise along with numerous pieces of mail that did not belong to either person. Several of the addresses later matched residents who reported identity theft, according to the Rocklin Police Department on their Facebook page. The pair were booked on suspicion of petty theft with priors, conspiracy and identity theft, and police say the investigation is still active.
Part of a larger regional spike
Across the Sacramento area, law enforcement agencies have been warning that both mail theft and organized retail theft are on the rise this winter. In Rancho Cordova, police have highlighted new camera networks and a partnership with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as key tools in recent mail theft probes, according to CBS Sacramento. Earlier this month, Folsom police said they recovered stolen mail and arrested suspects linked to neighborhood mailbox thefts, underscoring how quickly stolen letters can become identity theft cases, per the Folsom Times.
How residents can protect themselves
The U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service recommend some low-tech but effective habits: pick up mail every day, sign up for USPS Informed Delivery alerts, and report anything suspicious to local law enforcement. Those steps are part of broader “Project Safe Delivery” efforts. Electronic locks for collection boxes, tighter coordination with postal inspectors and quick reporting of missing or tampered mail are among the tools being promoted, according to an update from the agencies published in Webwire. Local departments also urge residents to save any damaged or suspicious mail and share surveillance images or videos with investigators when possible.
Legal process and next steps
According to the Rocklin police update, the two suspects are in custody on the listed charges while detectives continue sorting and cataloging the seized mail as part of the ongoing probe. Police and postal inspectors will inventory the recovered items and coordinate victim notifications, and residents who believe they may be affected are urged to keep a close eye on bank accounts and credit reports for signs of fraud. Investigators are asking anyone with relevant video or information to contact Rocklin police or leave tips on the Rocklin Police Department…