Napa Police Make Arrest In Months-Long Mail Theft Investigation

NAPA, CA — The Napa Police Department announced an arrest this week in connection with a months-long mail theft investigation.

In June, Napa PD began receiving an influx of stolen check reports. In several cases, the victims reported dropping their mail (containing checks) off at the local post office, police said.

Detectives began looking into the cases for investigative leads and suspect information. Soon, evidence led them to identify the suspect as Pedro Howard, 33, of Solano County.

Following several investigative hours, detectives identified two houses in Sacramento County that Howard and his associates were using/living in.

After detectives secured an arrest warrant for Howard and search warrants for the two houses, they served the warrants Wednesday with the help of the Napa Special Investigations Bureau and SWAT teams from the Sacramento Police Department and Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.

Howard was contacted and arrested outside the first house and seven other people were detained.

At the second house, 10 dogs were found in deplorable conditions and seized by local animal control officers, police said.

During the search of the residences, police said evidence of identity theft and fraud were found, along with a loaded pistol (serial number removed) and over $52,000 in cash.

Howard was arrested and brought to Napa where he was booked into jail. As of Friday, Howard remained behind bars with his bail set at $50,000. (Police provided a photo below of the evidence seized.)