Investigators from the Sheriff’s Rapid Enforcement Allied
Computer Team searched a mobile home off Burchell Road Tuesday
morning in a SWAT-style operation, seeking clues to identity thefts
and fraud resulting from stolen mail.
Gilroy – Investigators from the Sheriff’s Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team searched a mobile home off Burchell Road Tuesday morning in a SWAT-style operation, seeking clues to identity thefts and fraud resulting from stolen mail.
Neighbors described armed teams searching the home in the unincorporated areas west of Gilroy.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Ed Wise said the search was conducted by REACT, and identified resident Rita Sanchez, 42, as the sole person arrested during the warrant search of 9220 Burchell Road.
Sanchez was arrested on outstanding warrants at 7am Tuesday, he said, including drug-related charges.
Stolen mail, credit card numbers, checks and others’ identification cards were found at the scene.
Some residents said they themselves had been victims of mail theft: Burchell Road resident Ken Pauley said his mail had been stolen at least once.
Thanks to credit monitoring, he hasn’t suffered identity theft as well, he said.
“People have complained a lot about mail theft,” he said, “but whether it’s related to this search, we don’t know.”
A helicopter had circled the area in the days preceding the search, according to neighbors.
Sgt. Wise said more information would be forthcoming on the case this week.
