Police Blotter: Two Arrested For Mail Theft

According to a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department news release, a 35-year-old woman and her 17-year-old male accomplice were arrested early Tuesday when they were found in possession of stolen mail belonging to residents of evacuated areas in Highland.


On Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 2:28 a.m., Deputy Walter Peraza from the Rancho Cucamonga Station sat in a Highland City patrol car guarding the evacuated homes on Autumn Chase in the City of Highland.
 Peraza observed a suspicious vehicle drive into the area and made contact with two subjects that had quickly pulled into a driveway of a house and were walking towards the residence.


The female driver, Amanda Nieblas, was arrested after Peraza found she had numerous outstanding warrants. During the arrest, deputies searched the vehicle and located burglary tools and stolen mail belonging to evacuated residences on Autumn Chase, as well as other houses in the area.


Nieblas was booked at Central Detention Center with a $425,000. bail. The juvenile was cited and released to a parent. All of the victims of the mail theft have been contacted and the outstanding mail has been returned.

Police Chief Dave Williams said that he was thankful for Peraza's keen observations and felt that Highland's decision to continue the extra patrol positions paid dividends to these citizens already hard hit by the recent mud slides. Williams cautions all citizens that mail theft is a widespread crime and that everyone should do all they can to minimize exposure of both incoming and out going mail.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact Sgt. Hector Gomez at the Highland Police Station at (900)425-9793. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com.