SALEM, Ore. — A Salem man has been arrested after a nearly two-year-long investigation of mail theft, and police are currently trying to reconnect victims with their stolen mail.
33-year-old Ross Benjamin Sierzega was arrested Monday at his apartment in Salem. Officers found and seized around 30 pounds of mail, in addition to two lock cores from community mailboxes, several counterfeit mailbox keys and tools to manufacture said counterfeit keys, and multiple checks, bank cards and financial documents not in Sierzega’s name.
Detectives also seized a short-barreled shotgun and homemade body armor, the Salem Police Department said.
Sierzega had 11 outstanding warrants from the state, and is currently in U.S. Marshals custody, according to the Salem Police Department. He faces multiple federal charges, as well as state charges for felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun, felon in possession of body armor, identity theft, first-degree forgery, first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and possession of burglary tools. If convicted, Sierzega faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.
What victims should know
The Salem Police Department said those who think they may have lost documents through mail theft should go to this webpage and check to see if their name is listed.
The owner then must bring identification, such as a driver's license, in order to pick up their mail in-person at the Salem Police Station at 333 Division Street Northeast. Their hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Any unopened mail collected as part of the investigation will be returned by the U.S. Postmaster, according to the Salem Police Department.
Victims of mail theft should also report it locally at salempd.info/online-report, as well as to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service online or by calling 1-877-876-2455. Victims should also visit the Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website and register an identity theft alert with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
