Santa Clara Valley Mail Thief Had Crowbar, Halloween Masks, $80K In Stolen Checks: Cops

SANTA CLARA VALLEY, CA — Santa Clara County Sheriff's West Valley Patrol deputies arrested a man Sunday on suspicion of numerous offenses, including identity theft, after he was allegedly found with more than $80,000 in stolen checks. According to the sheriff's office, a sergeant pulled over the suspect — later identified at 27-year-old Justin Rucker — at about 3:50 a.m. on Kirkmont Drive and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road in Saratoga.

Sheriff's officials say Rucker initially stopped, but then tried to recklessly evade the sergeant by driving through a resident's front yard. He also allegedly ran several stop signs while speeding.

Rucker eventually lost control of the vehicle, which struck a curb during the pursuit and became disabled, sheriff's officials said.

Rucker was allegedly in possession of a crowbar, nylon and Halloween masks. He also had numerous stolen items, including mail from residences in San Jose, Saratoga and Los Gatos, credit cards and checks that were altered, blank or uncashed, sheriff's officials said.

After sorting through the evidence, deputies determined that there were more than 130 victims and over $80,000 in stolen checks.

Rucker was arrested on suspicion of evading law enforcement, identity theft and mail theft, as well as possession of stolen property, burglary tools and altered checks. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail, sheriff's officials said.

All of the recovered mail was returned to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which will contact all identified victims in the case.

Sheriff's officials encourage any residents who believe they may have been a victim of mail or identity theft to call 408-299-2311 and to visit: Idtheftcenter.org and Ftc.gov/idtheft.

Residents who do not have a mailbox that locks are advised to contact postal officials in order to obtain one. Sheriff's officials also say residents should avoid having packages delivered to their doorsteps if the packages will be left unattended for long periods of time.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo via Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office