{"id":389387,"date":"2026-07-28T17:57:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T17:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/389387\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T17:57:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T17:57:08","slug":"8-arrested-by-austin-police-in-connection-with-mail-theft-fraud-ring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/389387\/","title":{"rendered":"8 arrested by Austin police in connection with mail theft, fraud ring"},"content":{"rendered":"

Police said the investigation began May 15 after officers responded to report of a attempted fraudulent purchase at a jewelry store. <\/p>\n

AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Eight people have been arrested in connection with an organized criminal enterprise involving mail theft, identity fraud, narcotics trafficking and firearms violations following a months-long investigation by the Austin Police Department\u2019s North Metro Tactical Unit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

APD Det. Shawn Green addressed the media<\/a> Tuesday, saying the investigation began on May 15, when officers responded to an attempted fraudulent purchase at an Austin jewelry store.\u00a0<\/p>\n


\n \"\" <\/p>\n


\n This story continues below. <\/p>\n

Two suspects allegedly tried to use a stolen bank card in the incident. Officers identified the pair and uncovered a larger operation tied to the large-scale manufacturing of counterfeit U.S. Postal Service \u201carrow keys,\u201d which open secure mailboxes across the region. The unit worked with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPI) due to the federal nature of the crimes.<\/p>\n

Early in the investigation, officers found the suspects allegedly used a stolen identity to lease an apartment in North Austin. On May 25, officers spotted a vehicle leaving the residence and conducted a traffic stop at a nearby ATM, where police say the driver allegedly tried to use a stolen bank card.<\/p>\n

During the stop, officers arrested Matthew Smart on an outstanding warrant for credit card abuse tied to the May 15 jewelry store incident. The passenger, identified as Jennifer Craig, was arrested for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance after narcotics were found in the vehicle.<\/p>\n

Officers seized evidence related to mail theft, fraud and narcotics trafficking. A search warrant for the apartment uncovered additional evidence, police said.<\/p>\n

On June 8, APD received information that suspects were still occupying the fraudulently leased apartment. Officers obtained a warrant for Matthew Herrington, who was charged with fraudulent use or possession of identifying information. Police said Herrington was arrested during a traffic stop where further evidence was seized. A second warrant for the apartment led to the recovery of \u201canother large volume of evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

The investigation continued June 10, when officers conducted a search warrant for three storage units in Round Rock. One unit was reportedly rented using a stolen identity. Officers recovered a firearm and more evidence during the search, police said.<\/p>\n

On June 15, officers arrested Bryttni Williford, described as a “known associate of the group,” on several active warrants.<\/p>\n

Police later obtained additional arrest warrants for Herrington and Jennifer Jeansonne with additional charges.<\/p>\n

On July 2, officers began surveillance at a newly identified apartment and conducted three separate traffic stops that resulted in the arrests of Herrington and Jeansonne on their warrants, as well as the arrest of Michael Dodd on an unrelated theft warrant.<\/p>\n

Following those stops, officers conducted a search warrant at a new apartment where additional evidence was found and Nicole Patrick was arrested. Patrick was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Another person, John Waring, was charged with unlawful conduct involving a mail receptacle key or lock.<\/p>\n

As a result of the investigation, APD recovered the following items:<\/p>\n

17 counterfeit “arrow keys” in many stages of production700 pieces of stolen mail from 250 different addresses10,000 business and personal checks115 suspected stolen bank cards and 50 stolen identifications1,000 additional pieces of personal identifying information1.4 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and\/or fentanyl9 firearmsEvidence of fraud and counterfeiting including laptops, printers, embosser, key cutting machine, check stock and forged checks.Evidence of burglaries and thefts including a large amount of vehicle keys, burglary tools, bulk pieces of copper and brass as well as conduit, bicycles and other collectibles.\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Police also said as a result, they recovered and returned a 1947 British Army motorcycle, a 1959 Cushman Eagle motor scooter and an enclosed trailer to a burglary victim.<\/p>\n

The most recent arrest related to the case occurred July 21, when officers in Cedar Park received an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) alert for Herrington\u2019s vehicle. Cedar Park police arrested Herrington after a vehicle and foot pursuit. He was charged with evading arrest or detention.<\/p>\n

As of July 28, eight people have been arrested in connection with mail theft, counterfeit keys, identity theft, narcotics trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.<\/p>\n

APD said it is working to identify the owners of the recovered items below. Anyone who recognizes these belongings is urged to contact the North Metro Tactical Unit at APDNorthMetroTac@austintexas.gov\u00a0<\/p>\n

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