Ukiah residents warned about spike in mail theft

Ukiah Police are warning residents to guard their mail following a recent spike in thefts from area mailboxes.

Police on Saturday arrested two people on suspicion of stealing mail.

Schanna Marie Safarian, 29, had numerous pieces of unopened mail in her backpack when she was stopped following a report of mail thefts in the Helen Avenue area, police said.

Her backpack also contained a pair of bolt cutters and methamphetamine, police said.

Safarian initially lied about her identity, but she possessed a public assistance access card in her name and eventually confirmed her identity, police said.

Safarian previously had been arrested numerous times, including for identity theft and drug-related crimes and she is on probation, police said.

Police also arrested her companion, Cody Huber, 26. He possessed a methamphetamine pipe and a pocket tool and appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine, police said.

The pair were arrested on suspicion of multiple criminal counts, including possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools and criminal conspiracy.

Law enforcement authorities throughout the state, including Sonoma and Mendocino counties have reported an increased incidence of mail theft.

Ukiah police are encouraging residents to use locked mailboxes and to remove mail as soon as possible from curbside mail boxes.