Stolen mail recovered after Olympia police arrest 2. Here’s what happened
Two men were arrested last month and in both instances multiple pieces of stolen mail and other items were recovered, according to Olympia police.
About 8:30 a.m. Jan. 24, police were dispatched to the 900 block of Capitol Way South after a report about four men who had previously been trespassed from the site, Olympia police Lt. Paul Lower said.
One of those men had an outstanding state Department of Corrections warrant and was taken into custody. Police also found 18 pieces of allegedly stolen mail in a backpack, Lower said, including what appear to be financial documents. The names on the mail did not match the name of the man arrested, he said.
Four days later, Olympia police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Fern Street Southwest about 11 p.m after a report of domestic violence.
The man at the scene was accused of assaulting his girlfriend. After he was arrested, the girlfriend turned over his backpack to police, saying she didn’t want it in the apartment, and they found 17 pieces of mail, eight bank cards and identification cards, including a driver’s license.
Again, the names on the mail and cards did not match the name of the suspect, Lower said.
Police currently are working to confirm the mail and other items were stolen and will be attempting to reach people identified by those items, Lower said.
Meanwhile, mail continues to be stolen, he said.
On Jan. 22-23, residents in the 4400 block of Goldcrest Drive Northwest reported online that mailboxes had been broken into and mail stolen, Lower said.
Here are some tips to avoid mail theft:
▪ Check mailboxes frequently.
▪ Pick up mail immediately after it has been delivered.
▪ If mail doesn’t show up, contact the people who sent it.
▪ Report any suspicious activity.
▪ Sign up for the Postal Service’s Informed Delivery, which will send you an email about your mail before it’s delivered.
This story was originally published February 4, 2025 at 11:15 AM.
