Third suspect arrested in alleged Salem mail theft ring

Salem Police (KOIN, file)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A two-year investigation into a mail theft led to a third arrest by Salem police Thursday morning, authorities said.

The Salem Police SWAT team, with assistance from Keizer Police, arrested Jasson Lewis Ray after executing a search warrant at his home in the 300 block of Kestrel Street N. During the During a search of the home, officers seized various items, including a short-barreled shotgun, a handgun, a rifle, ammunition, suspected fentanyl, a stolen motorcycle and false documents.

All this follows the arrest, on March 25, of Ross Benjamin Sierzega, whose authorities say a search warrant of his apartment resulted in the discovery of approximately 30 pounds of mail, two mailbox lock cores, several counterfeit mailbox keys and tools to make counterfeit keys. There were also checks, bank cards and documents not in his name, according to police, who added that investigators also found a short-barreled shotgun and a homemade body armor.

Authorities said Sierzega faces up to 10 years in prison for simply making a counterfeit postal key. He also faces charges including firearm possession, identity theft, forgery and more.

Then, after a 7-hour standoff with police on April 15, police arrested Brett Todd Regimbal for his alleged involvement in mail theft, as well as outstanding arrest warrants stemming from domestic violence charges.

Ray, who was also the subject of several outstanding arrest warrants stemming from other criminal cases, was taken to the Marion County Jail on charges of criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a rifle short-barreled hunting, possession of a stolen vehicle and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Authorities say this is still an active investigation.