Unusual Burglary Spree Hits Sacramento Post Offices: What’s Been Taken?

Presidential election 2024 sign with American flag background.

Thieves target Sacramento County post offices, stealing mail-in ballots and laptops in a series of overnight burglaries.

At a Glance

Two post offices in Isleton and Ryde, Sacramento County, were burglarized overnight
Laptops and mail, including election ballots, were stolen from both locations
Authorities believe identity theft was the primary motive, not targeting blank ballots
A reward of up to $100,000 is offered for information leading to arrests
Sacramento County officials assure that protections are in place to prevent election fraud

Post Office Break-ins Raise Alarm

Sacramento County authorities are investigating a series of alarming overnight burglaries that targeted two post offices in the rural communities of Isleton and Ryde. The thieves made off with laptops and mail, including election ballots, raising concerns about potential identity theft and election security.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department reported that the back door of the Isleton post office on C Street was forcibly entered, while the front door of the Ryde post office on Highway 160 was pried open. In both instances, the burglars stole laptops and various mail items, including blank ballots.

BALLOTS, MAIL, AND LAPTOPS STOLEN IN POST OFFICE BURGLARIES IN SOUTH SACRAMENTO COUNTY

This morning, Sheriff’s South Patrol Deputies responded to two United States Post Office locations after having been broken into sometime overnight. The affected locations were located on C… pic.twitter.com/3PfMoMX5nd

— Sacramento Sheriff (@sacsheriff) October 10, 2024

Identity Theft Suspected as Primary Motive

While the theft of blank ballots has raised eyebrows, authorities believe that identity theft was the primary motivation behind the break-ins. The Sacramento County Elections Office has reassured the public that protections are in place to prevent election fraud, including signature verification on all returned ballots.

Sacramento County has a long history of vote-by-mail, with over 90% of voters using this method. The county’s experience with mail-in voting may help mitigate potential risks associated with the stolen ballots.

Our Voter Registration and Elections Department has worked with the USPS to identify affected voters and we will be reissuing ballots to those individuals today. https://t.co/QR72bqtzAK

— Sacramento County (@SacCountyCA) October 10, 2024

Investigation and Public Assistance

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department is collaborating with the United States Postal Inspection Service to investigate these crimes thoroughly. Authorities are reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying and apprehending the suspects.

Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers, in conjunction with the sheriff’s office, is offering a substantial reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the burglaries. This significant reward underscores the seriousness of the crimes and the urgency to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Ensuring Election Integrity

Despite the theft of blank ballots, county officials are confident in the integrity of the upcoming election. The Sacramento County Elections Office has emphasized that multiple safeguards are in place to prevent fraudulent voting attempts.

Registered voters whose ballots may have been affected by the thefts can request replacement ballots by submitting a form to their county elections official. This process ensures that all eligible voters will have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming election, regardless of the recent criminal activities.

Rural Crime on the Rise

These post office burglaries highlight a concerning trend of increasing property crimes in rural areas of north-central California. The targeting of small, isolated communities like Isleton and Ryde underscores the need for improved security measures and increased vigilance in these areas.

As the investigation continues, local residents are encouraged to remain alert and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement. The collaboration between federal postal inspectors and local authorities demonstrates a united front in addressing these crimes and protecting the integrity of both personal information and the electoral process.