Authorities on Friday asked members of the public to come forward as they may have been the victim of a woman found in possession of stolen mail from across North County.
Rebecca Whitney Stedtfeld, 32, was booked into the Vista Detention Center on suspicion of identity and mail theft, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Investigators said they found the mail, along with hundreds of unused gift cards, in the woman’s possession after a traffic stop last week.
The mail came from Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Encinitas, Escondido, Ramona, and San Marcos, while the gift cards were from VISA and a variety of retailers, Walmart, Target, Ralph’s, and Bath & Body Works.
A Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation deputy encountered Stedtfeld when he pulled over a car for an expired registration around 4 am April 8 near the intersection of Tecalote Drive and Pala Lake Drive.
During the traffic stop, a records check revealed the driver had outstanding warrants from Orange and Riverside counties.
Agents searched the car after pulling over the driver for warrants and found the stolen gift cards and mail. The search also turned up a ledger documenting gift card barcodes with corresponding PIN or access codes.
Stedtfeld faces charges related to the warrants, along with multiple counts of identity theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, committing a felony while out on bail and possessing burglary tools.
The department asked members of the public to come forward if they have information about the robberies or if they may be victims. They can call the sheriff’s non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200 or remain anonymous by calling San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
