Forgery, Jan. 5

News release CCSO.  During the later part of November 2016, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office began taking a substantial number of reports regarding the theft of mail from rural mail boxes.  The reports were of the theft of both incoming and outgoing mail.  These thefts were county wide with no specific pattern. As time progressed information was developed regarding a potential suspect vehicle and multiple suspects derived from surveillance footage obtained from multiple lending institutions and businesses where fraudulent checks had been passed. The suspects in the case obtained checks from rural mail boxes that were mailed for the purposes of paying household bills by the victims.  The data from these checks were altered and multiple new checks were printed by the suspects using computer software and passed at lending institutions and businesses. Some of the local checks were passed locally and as far away as businesses and banks in  Douglas and Lane Counties. On 1-3-17 at 12:14 hours Deputies on patrol encountered the suspect vehicle on Seven Devils road in the process of stealing mail from mail boxes.  At the scene Deputies arrested Christine Leanna Martin 47 YOA of Coos Bay. The vehicle a white 2004 Toyota Prius was seized. Ms. Martin was arrested on multiple counts of theft and forgery and transported to the Coos County Jail and lodged. Deputies then obtained a residential search warrant to search 92524 Cape Arago Hwy, Coos Bay, Oregon.  This was identified as the residence of Ms. Martin and a co-conspirator Edward Bruce Pierce 45 YOA of Coos Bay. Upon entry into the apartment by Deputies it was determined Mr. Pierce had broken through the dry wall in the apartment at the location and escaped arrest by fleeing through a vacant adjoining apartment on the opposite side of the structure. Left behind in the vacant apartment was evidence related to the ongoing investigation. Seized in the apartment shared by the two were fake Oregon driver’s licenses, stolen mail from multiple victims, altered checks, methamphetamine and heroin. On 1-4-17 at 11:00 hours a search warrant was executed on the 2004 Toyota Prius.  Located in the vehicle was further evidence of mail theft, identity theft and four stolen checks taken from mail boxes on Seven Devils Road. Additional arrests are anticipated in the investigation. Information developed in the case will be forwarded to the United States Postal Inspector for potential prosecution at a Federal level by the Assistant US Attorney’s Office. If you encounter Edward Bruce Pierce contact the Coos County Sheriff’s Office immediately. Mr. Pierce is wanted in connection to the case.