Bait Package Sting Operation Leads To Several Arrests

SHORELINE, WA — Four Washington police departments joined forces with U.S. postal inspectors to catch thieves with bait packages in December. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Seattle branch, four people have been charged since Dec. 2, and charges may soon be filed in a fifth case.

Investigators visited neighborhoods with high volumes of package theft reports in Shoreline, Burien, SeaTac, and Olympia. In less than two weeks, investigators caught suspects in three of the towns, leading to felony theft charges. In Shoreline, a woman caught with stolen items had a $100,000 warrant for her arrest related to a previous mail theft. According to the USPIS, she was out in the neighborhood, specifically prowling for items to steal off porches.

While mail thefts are more prevalent during the holiday months, U.S. Postal Inspector John Wiegand said the bait package operations continue throughout the year at various times as locations are identified. According to the USPIS, culprits are typically in custody within 15 or 20 minutes of a decoy package being taken.