Murrieta Police Take On Mail Fraud Head On, Numerous Arrests Announced

MURRIETA, CA — With mail theft on the rise, the Murrieta Police Department recently aided in a collaboration with other agencies and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which yielded multiple arrests and the location of stolen mail, IDs, and credit cards, police announced.

In early November, officers, along with U.S. Postal Service investigators, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and the Menifee Police Department, assisted in probation checks and searches in Hemet and Perris.

"At the first address, in Hemet, the police found stolen mail, mail theft tools, fraudulent keys, stolen IDs and credit cards, identity theft documents, and 11.5 grams of methamphetamine," a spokesperson for the department shared.

Jessica Casto, 38, and Joseph Albert Flores, 43, were both arrested on West Devonshire in Hemet. Casto was released on a $50,000 bond on multiple charges, including Identity Theft, Possession of more than 10 different IDs, Burglary Tools, and Probation Violation, while Flores was charged with Identity Theft, Possession of more than 10 IDs, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, with prior convictions.

Casto is due back at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center on Thursday to answer numerous felony charges. Flores was released on $5,000 bond and was due back in court on Friday.

A second investigation took place on Gunther Road in Romoland, according to the department, resulting in two additional arrests.

"Investigators located stolen mail, mail theft tools, fraudulent keys, stolen credit cards, identity theft documents, and 29.12 grams of methamphetamine," they said.

Timothy Lee Petterson, 37, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale, Identity Theft, Burglary Tools, and multiple priors. He was being held on $100,000 bail.

Bobby Joe Martinez, 49, was also arrested and charged with PRCS Flash Incarceration. He was released on Nov. 16, according to jail records.

Petterson remains at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, awaiting his Thursday court date at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center.

"These collaborative enforcement efforts aim to protect our communities from financial crimes, mail theft, and identity fraud," police said.