Federal Authorities Bust LA And OC Mail-Theft Ring

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  —  Aleah Wysozan knows better than to leave outgoing mail in her mailbox at home so she came here to the Placentia post office just to be safe. Now she can't believe that dozens of postal service workers are at the center of a federal investigation for mail theft, bank fraud and conspiracy.

Thirty-three people, mostly postal workers are accused of stealing checks, videogames, cellphones and prescription medicines from mailboxes and post offices.

"How do you know your mail is going to get to where it needs to go now," Wysozan said. "I don't even know if I want to drop my mail in this mailbox."

Here's a look at the suspects and their alleged crimes:

• In Moreno Valley, Joel Garcia, 33, the former local area president of the Mail Handlers Union is accused of stealing 166 cellphones from the mail when he worked as a mail handler at the distribution center there.
• In the Mid City District, Norman Muschamp, 48, is accused of being part of a conspiracy to steal identities to order pre-paid Paypal debit cards and deliver them for cash.
• In Orange County, Sherry Watanabe, 48, was allegedly found with 48,000 thousand pieces of mail at her home that she was supposed to deliver to customers along her Placentia route.