Woman Caught Stealing Mail In Lake Forest, OC Deputies Say

LAKE FOREST, CA — A woman was arrested in Lake Forest on Monday, after a resident reported seeing a someone stealing from mailboxes in the early morning, the Orange County Sheriff's Department reported.

The theft was reported by a vigilant resident, who spotted a "suspicious figure" rifling through mailboxes on Quail Way and Bluebird Drive in the City of Lake Forest.

Once deputies arrived, they found a female suspect who matched the description provided by the reporting resident. After searching the woman, they found a stash of mail that didn't belong to her.

After running a records check on the woman, authorities found that she had six outstanding warrants.

She was taken to jail, where authorities said she remained as of Wednesday morning. She faces 14 total misdemeanor charges, including three fresh ones incurred from the mail theft on top of the 11 she brought from her warrants, authorities said.

Her name was not released by deputies.

Deputies urged residents to follow these essential tips for safeguarding their mail and personal information:

• Empty your mailbox regularly.
• Install a security camera.
• Request a hold or redelivery.
• Opt for paperless billing.
• Shred sensitive documents.
• Secure outgoing mail.

No further information about the theft was immediately available.