Full Notification

A field investigation by Folsom Police patrol officers on May 10, 2020, lead to hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, identity theft manufacturing equipment, a stolen car, and contact with two suspects, Desiree Sanchez (26) and Richard Waters (27) of Martinez, CA. The investigation revealed Sanchez purchased the vehicle using a victim’s stolen information, and that she used the same victim’s stolen information to buy a second vehicle, a Honda Accord. The investigation was turned over to Folsom Police detectives.

Sanchez is on formal probation in Contra Costa County for identity theft, and Waters is on parole for robbery. The request made to Sanchez’s probation officer to revoke her probation was denied. Waters’ parole officer placed a hold on him. Both were arrested and booked into the Sacramento County Jail for auto theft, identity theft, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy to commit a crime. While Sanchez and Waters were booked into the Sacramento County Jail at approximately 8 a.m.; by 4 p.m. the same day, Sanchez was released. On May 14, Waters was also released from Sacramento County Main Jail.

Days later, on May 13, Sanchez was contacted in Pittsburg, CA while driving the stolen Honda Accord.  She was arrested for being in possession of the stolen vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed Sanchez was in possession of more mail belonging to Folsom residents. Due to a recent Covid-19 case at the Martinez Main Jail in Contra Costa County, Sanchez was issued a citation for the felony and released from the scene.  A request was again made to Sanchez’s probation officer for a hold on her probation, but he did not return our calls.

On May 18 at about 4:00 AM, alert El Dorado Hills residents witnessed three subjects, driving a black Audi, stealing their mail and reported it to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office(EDSO). Deputies located the vehicle and contacted the people inside: Sanchez, Waters, and a third man named Roger Joseph(28) from Pittsburg, CA.  During a search of the vehicle, deputies located six paper shopping bags full of stolen mail from the El Dorado Hills area. Paperwork located in the Audi revealed that the vehicle was purchased on May 17 by Sanchez, with fraudulent personal information. All three people were arrested by EDSO deputies. Sanchez and Waters both provided fake names to deputies during their arrest. Their true identities were discovered during the booking process at the jail. A request was made to Sanchez’s probation officer and Waters’ parole officer to place holds on them, but both were denied. A bail enhancement was requested and denied. On the afternoon of May 18, all three subjects were released from the El Dorado County Jail.

Further investigation into these individuals has revealed five vehicles purchased using fraudulent or stolen personal information. Folsom Police, Sacramento Police, Colma Police, Concord Police, Bakersfield Police, and Walnut Creek Police Departments, as well as the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, are all actively investigating crimes related to Sanchez. 

“The COVID-19 crisis has forced our jails to release felons, that would otherwise be held in custody to answer for their crimes, back onto the street.  This is yet another example of criminals taking advantage of the system.  Desiree Sanchez and Richard Waters should be in jail rather than free to roam and victimize our residents,” said Chief Rick Hillman.  

You can help fight this crime and protect yourself by checking your mailbox daily. Empty mailboxes help reduce this kind of crime - add an empty mailbox to your #9pmroutine.

Sanchez, Waters, and Joseph's pictures are attached.