Police highlight arrest in blog post on package theft prevention

Eden Prairie police highlighted a man’s arrest in a May 14 blog post titled “Package thief caught,” offering tips on protecting packages from theft.

Jessie Alexander Vargas, 27, of Eden Prairie, has been charged with two counts of mail theft after allegedly stealing packages from a residential building’s mailroom in the 11000 block of Anderson Lakes Parkway.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court, Vargas is accused of entering the building’s mailroom on April 14 and opening 15 packages, ultimately stealing eight. Vargas reportedly used a security code associated with his apartment to access the mailroom.

Police were alerted to the theft on April 16. Surveillance footage from the mailroom showed an individual, whose face was obscured by a mask, tampering with packages. Officers matched the suspect’s appearance with Vargas through Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) photos, prior booking images, and other photos. Additional footage from April 1 and April 10 also reportedly showed Vargas tampering with packages in the mail room on those dates.

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Officers contacted the intended recipients of the stolen packages, two of whom confirmed missing deliveries. One victim reported a missing bottle of cologne, while another reported a missing perfume bottle.

A search warrant executed on April 18 at Vargas’s apartment led to the discovery of the stolen items and a distinctive belt and jacket seen in the surveillance footage.

“Although many package theft cases go unsolved due to the difficulty of identifying suspects, in this case, the investigators’ quick and thorough follow-up, along with the help of surveillance video, led them right to the suspect’s door,” police stated in the blog post.

Vargas was released from jail on April 19 on $5,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 6. His conditional release order warns him to stay away from “mail or packages not addressed to you.”

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If convicted, Vargas faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine for each count.

Police offer tips to prevent package theft

In its blog post, police emphasized the importance of reporting mail or package thefts by calling 911, even if catching the perpetrator seems unlikely.

To prevent theft, residents are advised to arrange for neighbors to receive packages, request deliveries be made to less visible locations, or install security cameras near the front door. Additionally, selecting options like “Hold for Pickup” with the postal service or using Amazon Pickup can ensure packages are securely received.