Mail Belonging to Hundreds of People Has Been Recovered.
Salem, Ore. — Investigators arrested a 31-year-old Salem woman yesterday, September 16th, while serving a warrant at an apartment in the 3700 block of Orchard Heights Rd NW in West Salem.
Members of the Salem Police Criminal Investigations Section arrested Ashley Wood on Monday morning without incident. This arrest was an extension of the ongoing investigative efforts by Felony Crimes Unit detectives into incidents of mail theft and related crimes in the Salem area.
A search of the residence and property uncovered stolen mail belonging to well over 200 people and numerous additional pieces of evidence related to mail theft and forgery-related crimes. The Felony Crimes Unit will work with the United States Postal Inspection Service to return the mail to the rightful owners.
45-year-old Christopher McPherson and 27-year-old Anthony Ormonde were also present at the time of the warrant service. Both were arrested, transported, and lodged at the Polk County Jail on outstanding warrants.
Wood was transported and lodged at the Polk County Jail, on the following charges:
- Identity Theft, Forgery I
- Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument I
- Mail Theft
- Warrant for Forgery I out of the Marion County Circuit Court.
“Our people and our partnerships make these arrests and successful prosecutions possible,” said Salem Police Chief Trevor Womack. “I am extremely proud of our detectives for building this case and grateful for the partnerships we enjoy with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Mail theft and fraud affect hundreds in Salem each year and we will continue to pursue justice and hold prolific offenders like these accountable.”
The investigation remains active; however, with Wood’s arrest, all further inquiries into this case should be directed to the Polk County District Attorney’s Office.
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