Stolen Los Gatos Mail Recovered By Police

SOUTH BAY, CA -- Police in Milpitas who arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of a vehicle also found mail stolen from Los Gatos during their investigation.

The case began at 11:03 p.m. on Dec. 19 when an officer saw a blue 2002 Dodge Intrepid in the parking lot of a Days Inn and spoke with the occupants.

The officer noticed the occupants, identified as Tashina Claire Sawin, 28, of San Jose, and Charles Rodney Tinder, 53, of San Jose, were using an altered Chrysler key to operate the vehicle, and ultimately determined the vehicle had been stolen from San Jose, police said.

Officers searched the sedan and found burglary tools and several pieces of stolen mail from San Jose and Los Gatos.

Police said Sawin provided a false date of birth to officers during the investigation and also was in possession of drug paraphernalia. Sawin was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and providing false identification information.

Tinder was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of stolen property, police said.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Images via Milpitas Police