Mail theft ring busted in Kootenai County

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has broken up a mail theft ring involving nearly 400 victims in Kootenai County, and approximately 70 separate cases.

Starting in November 2016, mail thefts occurred throughout Kootenai County, with most taking place in the Athol and Hauser Lake areas.

The mail being stolen contained checks, packages, titles, etc.

The stolen checks were then fraudulently cashed at various locations. The estimated value of the stolen packages and checks totaled $50,000.

Detectives located a suspect, but determined there was a large number of other suspects.

Five people have now been charged, and as the case develops, other parties will likely face charges.

The primary suspect in the case was identified as 34-year-old David T. Perry of Post Falls, ID. Perry has been charged with 65 counts of Felony Grand Theft, and theft of a firearm.

Perry is currently at large, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Kootenai County Sherrif’s Office at 208-446-1300.

Nathaniel J. Taylor of Post Falls was charged with Grand Theft and Burglary. Justin A. Kretchmar, also of Post Falls, has been charged with Grand Theft, and Marcus S. Hawkins of Rathdrum has been charged with Burglary, Grand Theft, and Forgery. Kellie E. Mann of Dickinson, ND was charged with Grand Theft and passing fictitious checks.

Taylor, Kretchmar, Hawkins, and Mann are currently incarcerated or have already pled guilty to their charges.

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