Full Notification

VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF
NEWS STORY

GEOFF DEAN, SHERIFF
www.VCSD.org

Nature of Incident: Four Suspects Arrested for Theft of Mail
Report Number: 152054889
Location: Katherine Road and Alta Vista Ridge Way, Simi Valley
Date & Time: October 20, 2015 / 3:00 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Moorpark Station Patrol & Detective Bureau and the United States Postal Inspection Service
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Melkonyan, Petros Winnetka 26
Sakata, Derek Chatsworth 25
Holdgrafer, Alexsis Chatsworth 21
Female Juvenile Tarzana 17

Narrative:
Over the last few months the unincorporated area of the County located at the East end of Simi Valley has seen an increase in mail thefts where the suspect(s) were targeting residential mailboxes. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has been working with residents in the area to combat this problem, which led to a possible suspect vehicle being identified.

On October 20, 2015, at approximately 3:00 A.M., a Ventura County Deputy Sheriff working uniformed patrol in the area of Santa Susana Park observed a vehicle matching the description of the possible suspect vehicle. The deputy stopped the vehicle and saw mail strewn throughout the interior of the car. There were four occupants inside the vehicle who were detained while an investigation was conducted. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately one hundred and fifty pieces of suspected stolen mail that included credit cards, checks and other personal information not belonging to any of the suspects. The majority of this mail had addresses in Simi Valley, Chatsworth, and Encino. The United States Postal Inspection Service was contacted and assisted with the investigation.

Based on the facts in the investigation, Petros Melkonyan was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime, forgery, possession of stolen property, being under the influence of a controlled substance and is going to be charged in the Federal Court System for mail theft. Derek Sakata was arrested for conspiracy, possession of stolen property, being under the influence of a controlled substance and providing false information to a peace officer. Alexsis Holdgrafer was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. The female juvenile was arrested for conspiracy, mail theft, possession of stolen property and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Melkonyan, Sakata and Holdgrafer were booked into the Ventura County Jail and the female juvenile was lodged at Juvenile Hall.
Prepared by: Sergeant John Wright
News Release Date: October 20, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant John Wright, (805) 797-7128
Approved by: Stephen Wade, Captain

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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