HPD Arrests Pair for Stealing Checks From Mail March 07, 2008 - Investigators in the Houston Police Department Financial Crimes Unit, in cooperation with United States Postal Inspectors, have arrested two suspects believed responsible for the theft of hundreds of checks and money orders that unsuspecting victims had placed in the mail to pay their utilities, taxes, credit cards, mortgages, and even their child support. The suspects, Jaime Andres Garcia (h/m, DOB: 9-12-85) and Consuelo Aragon (h/f, DOB: 11-27-87) are charged with fraudulent use and possession of identifying information in the 176th District Court. Garcia and Aragon were arrested while trying to negotiate one of the stolen checks at a business at 6237 Bellaire. Investigators recognized the suspect’s address as one that was under investigation by US Postal Inspectors and subsequently secured a search warrant for their apartment at 7600 High Meadow where they recovered the stolen checks. Investigators also recovered hundreds of opened pieces of mail from a nearby dumpster. Labels on the postal containers indicated the mail was stolen from the post office at 6500 De Moss in southwest Houston. Any person who sent mail from this post office is urged to check their bank statements and contact the businesses and/or persons that were expecting payments to ensure that they were received. Persons whose checks are missing should also file a police report. VHS/GO For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. |