Rash of mail thefts hits Stephens County

DUNCAN, Okla._The Stephens County Sheriff's Office is investigating about a dozen reports of stolen mail over the course of the last two weeks, and say an arrest could be right around the corner.

Right now, the sheriff's office says they have two persons of interest in connection with the stolen mail, including a man who was arrested on unrelated charges over the weekend.

Sheriff Wayne McKinney says those stealing mail are looking for anything of value, including credit cards, checks or anything they can get to commit fraud against you.

The break in the investigation came Saturday when deputies spotted a truck in a rural area that seemed to be out of place. The driver was arrested for a suspended driver's license. The passenger was questioned, but not taken into custody. Both were later developed as persons of interest after comparing their vehicle to one captured on a mail theft victim's surveillance cam.

"They get to thinking, 'well, maybe this vehicle is the same car,' and it turned out to be the same car," Sheriff McKinney said.

McKinney believes both individuals are responsible for stealing mail from mailboxes. McKinney says they are hitting up rural areas around Duncan, on Clear Creek Road, Comanche Road, Osage, and Water Plant Road.

"It is easier for them. They can go by some of these rural locations, it is a target of opportunity for them, pretty much is what it boils down to," Sheriff McKinney said.

McKinney says the biggest problem with a crime like this is the possibility of identity theft. Something he says he cannot imagine a person having to go through.

"I don't think there's anything worse than having to try to recreate everything; the damage that somebody else has done to your credit and you individually," Sheriff McKinney said.

In order to help keep yourself from becoming a victim, McKinney says it is best to get your mail from your mail box as soon as you can.

"Know what time your post man is going to come and try to get your mail shortly after they get there," Sheriff McKinney said.

McKinney says he does believe there may be additional people involved in these thefts. As of right now, no charges have been filed on the two people they are saying are persons of interest.

The Stephens County Sheriff's Office says they are also looking for a car belonging to another person believed to be involved in the thefts. It is a red, 2005 Ford 500 with an Oklahoma tag 714FLE.