A man and a woman from Hayward have been charged with stealing mail from collection boxes in Pleasanton using an unusual tool—rat glue traps. The suspects, identified as Luis Castro Rayo and Doris Power Cruz, were arrested outside the Hacienda station post office on Chabot Drive, where they were allegedly caught in the act.
What happened:
- The case began one night in December when a license plate reader flagged a Toyota Echo linked to previous mail thefts.
- Pleasanton police spotted the vehicle with expired tags parked at the post office.
- Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered a garbage bag full of stolen mail, a rubber strap, and multiple sticky rat traps.
- Both the mail and the rubber strap were coated in a sticky substance matching the traps.
How the thefts were committed:
- The suspects used glue traps, typically designed to catch rodents, to “fish” mail out of collection boxes.
- This method, known as “mail fishing,” involves attaching sticky objects to a strap or string and lowering it into mailboxes to retrieve letters and packages.
- Officer Eric Mossi noted that several sticky traps were found inside the car and in the trunk.
Authorities’ response:
- U.S. Postal Inspector Matthew Norfleet confirmed that the use of rat traps is a known tactic in mail theft.
- “Sometimes you’ll see sticky residue in the boxes. That’s another sign of tampering,” Norfleet said.
- He praised the efforts of Pleasanton police, remarking, “In this case, it’s the rat who’s using the trap, not getting caught in it.”
Public reaction:
- Local residents expressed disbelief and frustration over the method used.
- “It’s pretty pathetic, I think. It’s pretty sad,” said Stanley Cornelius, a customer at the post office.
- “All types of stuff come through the mail, personal items people need… if you’re tampering with items, they don’t get their items.”
Legal proceedings:
- Luis Castro Rayo and Doris Power Cruz were both charged on Tuesday with receiving stolen property.
- Authorities continue to investigate whether additional mail thefts across the Bay Area are connected to the suspects.
Residents are urged to report suspicious activity near mailboxes and to use secure indoor mail drop-off locations when possible.
