Left to right: Pang Mua, 45, of Fresno, Brian Vang, 27, of Sacramento, Jose Martinez, 20, of Kerman, Shilee Vang, 18, of Kerman, and Shamsiye Sharafi, 30, of Kerman, were arrested as a result of a month-long Kerman PD mail theft investigation. (Fresno County SO)
- Kerman PD arrested five suspects in a months-long investigation, recovering 670+ pieces of stolen mail and fraud equipment.
- All five have been charged with either misdemeanor or felony charges, according to authorities.
- Police and USPS inspectors continue identifying victims and urge residents to monitor accounts and report suspicious activity.
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A months-long investigation into mail theft and identity fraud in Kerman resulted in the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of stolen mail and equipment used to commit fraud, the Kerman Police Department said in a statement on Monday.
The investigation began after reports of stolen mail belonging to Kerman residents.
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On Sunday, an officer spotted a vehicle matching the description of one linked to the thefts during a patrol near the city’s west side. During the traffic stop, police said, a call came in reporting mail theft from a community mailbox on the 200 block of South Thomas Avenue.
Surveillance footage from the residence showed a dark-colored sedan resembling the stopped vehicle.
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The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office identified the five arrested on Tuesday.
The vehicle’s occupants, Brian Vang, 27, of Sacramento, and Pang Mua, 45, of Fresno, were arrested after police found tools to access mailboxes and more than 670 pieces of stolen mail, including packages.
Vang also had an outstanding warrant from Sacramento for felony assault with a firearm, officers said.
According to authorities, Vang faces eight charges related to identity theft and is being held without bail. Mua faces seven charges related to identity theft and remains in jail on $60,000 bail.
Evidence from the stop led to a search warrant at a residence outside Kerman, where police, with assistance from U.S. Postal Service Inspectors, discovered more stolen mail, personal financial information, and tools used to access mailboxes and commit fraud.
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Three additional suspects were arrested during the search:
- Jose Martinez, 20, of Kerman, who faces a misdemeanor charge for possession of burglary tools. He was cited and released.
- Shilee Vang, 18, of Kerman, charged with misdemeanors for possessing burglary tools and identity theft. She was also cited and released.
- Shamsiye Sharafi, 30, of Kerman, charged with multiple misdemeanors and a felony for identity theft. She remains in custody on $220,000 bail.
Kerman PD and U.S. Postal Service Investigators are working to identify victims and return stolen items.
Authorities urge residents to monitor their accounts and report suspicious activity.
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