Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man and woman at a Rohnert Park motel after they were found with two bags of stolen mail. The incident began yesterday, January 31st at about 11:00 AM when a detective spotted 32-year-old Nicki Sproul of Penngrove at the Motel 6 on Commerce Drive. Sproul was known to the detective as she had a no bail warrant for a local parole violation. The detective watched Sproul enter a room on the first floor of the motel and called for backup.
As he waited in the parking lot the detective spotted 39-year-old wanted local parolee Jessie Villegas pull up in front of Sproul’s room in a grey Chevrolet Impala. Villegas knocked on the door and Sproul let him in. Shortly thereafter patrol deputies arrived and Sproul and Villegas were both contacted and detained as they left the room.
Upon searching, the deputy found a small amount of methamphetamine and a smoking pipe in Villegas' pocket. Detectives also searched Villegas’ car and the hotel room where they found two large garbage bags full of what appeared to be mail stolen out of local mailboxes. Included in the mail were numerous checks that appeared to have been washed and made out to Villegas in an apparent attempt to defraud the victims.
Both Villegas and Sproul were booked on charges of possession of stolen property and identity theft. Villegas was also booked on drug charges. Both remain in the Sonoma County Jail without bail.
Detectives are continuing the investigation and more charges could be added at a later time. They have begun the arduous task of notifying all the victims, documenting and returning stolen mail. It is likely the number of victims could range in the hundreds and reside from Healdsburg to Rohnert Park. The mail is being sorted and itemized. At this time you are asked not to call if you think you are a victim of stolen mail.
The detectives will be using addresses on envelopes and will contact you if they have your mail at this point.
