Detectives with the Mountain View Police Department recovered more than 1,500 pieces of stolen mail and arrested two San Jose residents following a months-long investigation, authorities announced Friday.
The investigation began after reports of mail theft in the 500 block of West Middlefield Road, police said. Over the past two months, the department’s Crime Suppression Unit worked with patrol officers to develop leads and identify suspects connected to the case.
A few weeks into the investigation, night-shift patrol officers located the two suspects in Mountain View and took them into custody without incident, according to police.
On Jan. 16, detectives served multiple search warrants across the Bay Area. During the searches, investigators recovered more than 1,500 pieces of stolen mail connected to more than 1,000 addresses in Mountain View and neighboring cities. Authorities also seized tools and equipment allegedly used to manufacture fraudulent identification cards.
Terri Maciel, 47, and Ruben Maciel, 34, both of San Jose, were booked into jail on numerous felony charges related to identity theft, mail theft, forgery and conspiracy.
Prosecutors allege Terri Maciel faces charges including identity theft, possession of identifying information with intent to defraud, criminal conspiracy, forgery, burglary, possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools. She was also charged with falsifying vehicle registration, drug-related offenses and an outstanding warrant from the South San Francisco Police Department.
Ruben Maciel was booked on similar charges, including identity theft, mail theft, forgery, conspiracy, burglary and possession of stolen property. He also faces allegations of possessing altered or fraudulent vehicle documentation, drug offenses and a parole violation.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details.
