Burglars Steal Mail-In Ballots, Mail, Laptops During California Post Office Break-In

Authorities say thieves pried open the front door of the U.S. Post Office in Ryde, Calif., a small community in Sacramento County, on Oct. 9, 2024. Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Burglars broke into two small-town U.S. Post Office locations in south Sacramento County at some time overnight, stealing mail-in ballots, laptop computers, and other mail, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department reported Oct. 10.

The post offices are located on C Street in Isleton, a town of fewer than 800 residents, and on State Highway 160 in Ryde, which serves about 146 locals. Both locations are in Sacramento County about 30 miles south of the state capital.

Employees of the Isleton post office told authorities the back door of the office was forced open. The suspects made off with a laptop computer and mail.

In Ryde, thieves pried open the front door and stole another laptop computer and mail, which was placed in P.O. boxes. Some of that mail included ballots for the upcoming election, according to the sheriff’s department.

Photos shared by the department show a bent metal doorknob and lock, and a chipped wooden door that appears to be damaged.

A postal worker in Ryde said she couldn’t talk about the theft but said everyone was OK.

“We’re fine,” she told The Epoch Times. “It’s just really frustrating.”

Representatives of the U.S. Postal Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Property Crimes detectives responded to both scenes and are working with the U.S. Postal Inspector, according to the sheriff’s department.

The investigation is ongoing, the department said. No suspect information was provided to the public.

A photo shared by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department shows a damaged door where thieves allegedly broke into the U.S. Post Office in Ryde, Calif., on Oct. 9, 2024. Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

“Unfortunately, there is no further information we have to release as of now,” Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Amar Gahdhi told The Epoch Times.

Anyone with information about the incidents is encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office at 916-874-5115, or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.

Tips leading to an arrest are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000, and tipsters remain anonymous.

Burglars allegedly broke into the back door of the Isleton, Calif., U.S. Post Office on Oct. 9, 2024, stealing mail and a laptop. Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Businesses in rural communities in north-central California have also been victimized by recent crimes this year.

In July, a burglar broke through a wall into a gun store and stole 73 handguns from the family-owned Foothill Firearms shop in the Placer County town of Newcastle.

Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo announced detectives made three arrests in the case in August.

Foothill Firearms on Taylor Road in Newcastle, Calif., in January 2023. Google Maps/Screenshot via California Insider

“These three suspects are just another example of failed criminal justice reform in the state of California. They are career criminals with gang affiliation, and they have convictions for other similar type of conduct as this. While we recovered some of these handguns, the majority are still out in our communities,” Woo said in a video posted on social media on Aug. 7.

Tyrone Brennen, 39, of San Rafael; Loren Bingham, 41, of Vallejo, a known Norteno gang member; and Richard Nosenzo, 57, of Vallejo, were arrested in connection to the case.