2 Arrested After Stealing Mail From Rochester Hills Homes: Sheriff

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Two Detroit men are facing multiple charges after stealing mail from as many as ten Rochester Hills homes, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Jaylen Boykins, 22, and Devon Bailey, 19, were charged with four felonies for intent to commit identity theft and eight misdemeanors for mail theft. A conviction on the felony charge carries a maximum of five years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Boykins and Bailey were released from the Oakland County Jail after posting a $4,000 bond, officials said. Officials are seeking additional charges in connection to the stolen mail.

On June 14, officials said a resident in the 500 block of Snowmass Drive called police and told officers a heavily damaged car pulled up to her mailbox, and the men inside the car took outgoing mail from her mailbox.

Officers found the heavily damaged car in the area and stopped it, officials said.

Officers searched the car and found the Rochester Hills residents' mail, as well as mail from roughly ten other nearby homes, officials said.

Officers also found a 1-year-old infant in the back seat of the car, officials said. Police said the infant belonged to one of the suspects and was turned over to child protective services.

The suspects told detectives they were selling stolen checks for $20 each and stolen credit cards for $100, officials said.

Detectives returned the stolen mail back to the correct owners, officials said.

"A combination of heads-up citizenry and good police work were able to stop what clearly was going to be an expanding criminal enterprise that stole more and more personal identities," Bouchard said. "Anyone in that timeframe who had placed outgoing mail in a street side mailbox should confirm that checks were received by the intended recipient. It’s also a good idea to monitor your credit cards, checking account and put a credit freeze in place."

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard encouraged any resident who thinks they may have been a victim to call the Sheriff’s Office at 248-858-4950.