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Early Saturday morning, Dispatch received a call from a concerned resident who witnessed two suspicious men in a dark sedan stealing mail from mailboxes, according to the Irvine Police Department.
Officers quickly responded to the neighborhood and located the suspect’s vehicle. Inside the car, officers located multiple pieces of stolen mail, credit cards, checks, drug paraphernalia, and controlled substances.
Both Alex Trigosjuarez, 23, and Javier Uriostegui, 31, of Fullerton, were arrested for identity theft, possession of stolen property, and drug offenses and booked at the Orange County Jail.
In California, the penalties for stealing mail, possessing illegal narcotics, and committing identity theft can be quite severe. Here’s a breakdown:
Mail Theft: Under California Penal Code § 530.5(e), stealing someone else’s mail is considered a misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Possession of Illegal Narcotics: According to California Health and Safety Code § 11350(a), possessing a controlled substance without a valid prescription is typically charged as a misdemeanor. The penalties can include up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,00012. However, if you have prior convictions for serious felonies or sex crimes, the charge could be elevated to a felony, potentially leading to longer incarceration.
Identity Theft: Under California Penal Code § 530.5, identity theft is a “wobbler” offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. As a misdemeanor, it carries penalties of up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. As a felony, the penalties can include up to three years in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Combining these offenses could result in cumulative penalties, meaning you might face jail time and fines for each offense separately.