A Gainesville man is back in jail this week, charged with 18 criminal counts in a Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigation into stolen mail.
Investigation launched in June
The investigation began on June 23, when deputies responded to a report of stolen mail in the 2600 block of Webb Girth Road. According to the initial investigation, a resident spotted a man attempting to take mail out of his residential mailbox. When confronted, the suspect sped off in the SUV he was driving.
The resident told investigators he drove up the road and found several pieces of his neighbors’ mail on the side of the road.
On Thursday, July 6, investigators with the HCSO Special Investigations Unit located the suspect and his vehicle, a Chevrolet Equinox, at a residence in the 1000 block of Black Drive. They arrested Arturo Albarran-Aguirre, 29, who lives at the home, for the theft of approximately 10 pieces of mail from at least four addresses on Webb Girth Road.
Investigators charged Albarran-Aguirre with possession of stolen mail and four counts of theft by receiving stolen mail.
“During a search of Albarran-Aguirre’s person during arrest, deputies found numerous checks and bank cards, all with different names,” a press release from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office states.
Albarran-Aguirre was booked into the Hall County Jail on the initial charges and released on $6,500 bond on July 8.
More charges filed
While investigating the items found during Albarran-Aguirre’s arrest, investigators determined they had been stolen from the mailboxes of at least 15 victims throughout East Hall County. The mail included checks, bank cards, a driver’s license, a DNR card, and a check stub.
Investigators obtained additional arrest warrants for Albarran-Aguirre on July 10. They charged him with eleven felonies, including two counts of identity theft fraud, four counts of third-degree forgery, and five counts of financial transaction card theft. In addition, they charged him with five counts of fourth-degree forgery and two counts of theft by receiving.
According to the sheriff’s office, Albarran-Aguirre remained at large on the latest warrants until Gainesville Police officers arrested him on Monday afternoon, September 25. Before he was apprehended, the sheriff’s office featured Albarran-Aguirre on its Wanted Wednesday social media post.
Albarran-Aguirre is being held without bond in the Hall County Jail on the latest charges.
