Ione, CA…On the evening of 1/9/21, deputies were patrolling in the area of Highway 88 and Blue Sky Drive, in Ione. Deputies noticed a green Chevy Trailblazer parked near a group of mailboxes with its lights off. When the deputies turned around to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle, it was gone. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle just up the road, again parked by a group of mailboxes with the lights off.

After contacting the occupants, the deputies learned that the passenger was on searchable probation and proceeded to conduct a probation search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies located several pieces of mail addressed to residents of Blue Sky Drive. When the deputies questioned the driver, Jaime Gonzales of Galt, he admitted to stealing the mail from the mailboxes.

Gonzales was issued a citation for the theft, and the mail was returned to its rightful owners.