It wasn’t your typical mail theft.

Ripon Police were contacted Jan. 11 by the Ripon Postmaster regarding the theft of an entire neighborhood mailbox from the area of Laurelwood Drive and Cooper Court.

The case moved forward when a Ripon resident contacted police regarding someone trying to cash a check in her name.  A suspect made an unsuccessful attempted to cash the victim’s check taken from the stolen community mailbox at a local check cashing establishment.  The suspect fled the area when he was unable to cash the stolen check.  Ripon Police detectives immediately responded to the establishment to interview witnesses.

Through the course of intensive investigation, physical, electronic, and eye-witness evidence quickly lead to the identity of a suspect.  Ripon investigators were advised the suspect reportedly made a stolen vehicle report hours after he fled the check cashing establishment in his own vehicle.  Due to the fact that this case involved a multitude of crimes; Ripon investigators reached out to federal, state and local agencies during the course of this investigation.

Detectives made unsuccessful attempts to contact the suspect.  The suspect voluntarily came to the Ripon Police Department on Jan. 15 knowing investigators wanted to speak to him about the theft.  During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted his involvement in this case.

Donald E. Moyer III, 25, of Ripon was taken into custody.  He was charged with grand theft, burglary, possession of known stolen property and possession of a forged bank note.   The Postal Service neighborhood mailbox was located and recovered on Mello Road in rural Ripon.  Citizens, who were victims of mail theft involving this mailbox, should contact the lead investigator on this case, Detective Sgt. Terri Jensen at 209-599-0261.