Man Arrested for Stealing Mail in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Man Arrested for Second Time in Two Weeks for Mail Theft in Chicago’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood

CHICAGO (CBS) — In a case that has left residents of Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood on edge, a man has been arrested for the second time in as many weeks on accusations of stealing mail. Gustavo Balleza, 36, was apprehended on Monday in the 2300 block of North Clark Street, near Francis W. Parker School, following a joint investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Chicago Police Department.

During the arrest, authorities discovered that Balleza was in possession of two stolen identifications, five burglary tools, and 10 bank cards in the names of his victims, according to the USPIS. As a result, Balleza is now facing 13 felony counts of burglary.

This is not the first time Balleza has been in trouble for mail theft and burglary. On Tuesday, November 7, he was arrested after being identified as a suspect in 15 burglaries and mail thefts that occurred in Lincoln Park over the past month. Witnesses reported seeing Balleza breaking into mailboxes and stealing mail, prompting the USPIS to launch an investigation.

During his initial arrest, Balleza was found to be in possession of numerous fake IDs, legitimate IDs belonging to other individuals, stolen mail, and approximately 65 bank cards in the names of his victims. Despite these charges, Balleza was released on pretrial release. However, he proceeded to commit at least three more burglaries, according to the USPIS. Additionally, he had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court.

Residents of Lincoln Park are now concerned about their safety and the security of their mail. Local authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police.

Mail theft is a serious crime that can lead to identity theft and financial loss for the victims. The USPIS is working closely with local law enforcement agencies to crack down on these crimes and protect the community. They are also advising residents to take precautions, such as regularly checking their mailboxes, using secure mailboxes, and promptly reporting any missing mail or suspicious activity.

The arrest of Gustavo Balleza serves as a reminder of the importance of community cooperation and awareness in fighting crime. Authorities are urging residents to work together and report any suspicious individuals or activities to ensure the safety and security of their neighborhood.

As the investigation into Balleza’s alleged crimes continues, authorities are hopeful that justice will be served and that the community can regain a sense of peace and security. Meanwhile, Balleza remains in custody and will face the consequences of his actions in a court of law.

Adam Harrington, a web producer at CBS News Chicago, contributed to this report.

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