On April 23 at approximately 4:45 a.m., Hemet Police officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked near the community mailboxes in the 1300 block of Division Court and discovered a Jeep Cherokee parked next to the mailboxes with an adult male unconscious in the driver’s seat while the engine was still running.
After awakening the suspect, later identified as 35-year-old Naythan Shayne Story, officers learned he was on probation. During their interaction, officers noticed a lock-picking tool on the ground near the driver’s side door, along with several other suspicious items inside the vehicle, including a socket wrench, numerous access cards not belonging to Story, and a brass key labeled “USPS Property.”
A subsequent search of the vehicle and Story’s person uncovered approximately 1.88 grams of methamphetamine, multiple debit and credit cards belonging to other individuals, 36 access cards, including EBT, debit, credit, and insurance cards, linked to at least 25 different individuals, several hundred pieces of mail, including sensitive financial and government documents, originating from addresses across Hemet, Temecula, Murrieta, Winchester, Menifee, South Gate, Compton, and beyond, and four USPS master keys and a modified socket tool believed to be used in mail thefts.
Story was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance, possession of access cards from 10 or more victims, and possession of access cards with intent to defraud.
The Hemet Police Department’s Investigations Bureau is working closely with the United States Postal Inspection Service to pursue further investigation into this case.
The department urges residents to report any suspicious activity near mailboxes or vehicles parked in unusual locations. Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Detective Aguila at 951-765-2423 or [email protected].
