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Three mail trucks have been burglarized in Salt Lake County since July by thieves who also are suspected of stealing out of mailboxes and from businesses, West Valley City police say.
An informant told police that the three suspected burglars commit property crimes on a daily basis to support their drug habits, according to an Aug. 12 search warrant affidavit that was recently unsealed in 3rd District Court. The search warrant — requested as part of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office and the West Valley City Police Department — was issued that day for two units at the Diamond Storage facility at 60 S. Orange St. in Salt Lake City.
The mail trucks were burglarized in Taylorsville, Cottonwood Heights and Millcreek while the postal carriers were away from the vehicles, delivering mail, according to the affidavit. When they returned to the truck, a window was shattered and large amounts of mail and parcels had been stolen.
Police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku said Thursday that no mail was found at the storage units but that the search turned up items believed to be stolen, ranging from common power tools to high-precision measuring systems that likely were taken in thefts from vehicles, residences and businesses. She said officers do not know how long ago the tools were stolen.
The affidavit says one of the suspects who showed up while the units were being searched was carrying several thousand dollars wrapped in rubber bands and had a loaded .45-caliber handgun in his car. The 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a restricted person.
No charges in the thefts had been brought against anyone as of Thursday.
West Valley police have created a Facebook album of all of the recovered items and have put a gallery of the pictures on its website
Those who believe they are the owners of any of the items can call 801-955-3613. Callers need to provide the case number of their theft report.
Twitter: @PamelaMansonSLC