NEWS RELEASE – Multiple Arrests in Major Mail Theft and Fraud Ring
On August 5, 2024, at approximately 4:08 a.m., Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) officers responded to the 1900 block of Hillebrant Place in Santa Clara, Ca. for a mail theft investigation. Over the next week, follow upinvestigation was initiated and surveillance footage of the incident was reviewed which showed the suspect fleeingthe scene in a black Lexus. Special Enforcement Team (SET) detectives located and surveilled the suspect vehicle. Patrol officers initiated an enforcement stop of the vehicle and identified the driver of the vehicle. Burglary Arson Major-Fraud (BAM) detectives contacted the San Jose Police Department, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATTF) to gather information. The investigation revealed the suspect was associated with a major fraud ring specializing in mail theft, operating in Santa Clara County. BAM detectives identified two fraudulently rented apartments where the suspects conducted their operation. Detectives obtained arrest warrants and search warrants for the suspects and their locations to disrupt and dismantle the operation.
On August 14, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., the Santa Clara Police Department BAM detectives and Special Enforcement Team (SET) detectives served search warrants in Santa Clara and San Jose. During the service of the search warrant in San Jose, nine suspects were detained and identified. After the suspects were detained, the Santa Clara Police Department detectives served a second search warrant on the 500 block of Moreland Ave. at the Moreland Apartment complex in the city of Santa Clara. Three suspects were detained and identified inside of the apartment. A search of the apartment revealed large amounts of stolen mail, U.S. Postal mail keys, a U.S. Postal mail uniform, U.S. Postal mail locks, narcotics packaged for sales, electronic gambling machines, narcotics paraphernalia, body armor, notebooks containing Personal Identifying Information (PII), and suspected stolen property. The suspected stolen property included identification cards, checkbooks, passports, license plates, credit cards, and documents belonging to dozens of victims. All 12 suspects were arrested for outstanding felony warrants and other charges related to the possession of stolen property, narcotics, fraud, and resisting arrest. The investigation remains on-going.
If you have any information or evidence related to the original mail theft on Hillebrant Place, information related to the arrested individuals, or related to associated mail theft organizations, we ask you contact DetectiveBaldassari at 408-615-4818 or email him at [email protected]. Individuals may also provide information via the Anonymous Tip Line, 408-615-4TIP (4847).
Suspect 1: Ngoai Nguyen Age: 42 Residence: Hayward, Ca
Suspect 2: Melizza Hufana Age: 43 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 3: Raquel Tendencia Age: 34 Residence: Fremont, Ca
Suspect 4: Lim Vo Age: 30 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 5: Sean Finn Age: 43 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 6: Paolo Bartido Age: 39 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 7: Glenn Nguyen Age: 32 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 8: Vu Thi Age: 38 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 9: Dary Pech Age: 41 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 10: Christie Entac Age: 33 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 11: Eun Chong Age: 34 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Suspect 12: Tiffany Terada Age: 42 Residence: San Jose, Ca
Prepared by: Lieutenant Mike Crescini, Public Information Officer, (408) 615-4865.
Address/Location
Santa Clara Police Department
601 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 408-615-5580