Two suspected thieves were caught trying to steal mail by an
off-duty police officer who chased them down, police said.
Two suspected thieves were caught trying to steal mail by an off-duty police officer who chased them down, police said.
About 11:35 p.m. Friday, an off-duty Morgan Hill police officer was driving home when he noticed a silver Ford Mustang parked along the north side of East Dunne Avenue at Jackson Oaks Drive.
The officer saw the passenger of the vehicle removing mail from several mail boxes, according to Sgt. Shane Palsgrove. As the officer approached the suspect, the passenger entered the vehicle with the stolen mail. The vehicle fled the scene.
The off-duty officer followed the Mustang in his vehicle and called MHPD dispatch to report the crime, Palsgrove said. The officer followed the suspect vehicle westbound on Dunne Avenue. The driver of the Mustang attempted to evade the officer.
Responding on-duty officers joined the pursuit and caught up with the suspects and made a stop at Huston Court, off Saddlebrook Drive, police said.
As the fleeing Mustang stopped, the passenger exited the vehicle and ran through the neighborhood on foot, Palsgrove said. As he ran, he dropped some of the mail he had stolen. The mail was later recovered.
Police set up a perimeter around the area but could not find the passenger, Palsgrove said.
The driver of the Mustang was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant and on suspicion of theft-related charges, police said.
Felipe Arrizon, 36, was booked into Santa Clara County Jail, Palsgrove said.
The passenger in the Mustang is described as a Hispanic male adult, about 5-feet, 10-inches tall and 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt.
The case is under investigation. Anyone with information can call police at (408) 779-2101 or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867. Victims of identity theft can call the nonprofit Identity Theft Council at (888) 771-0767.
