Mail Thief arrested in Eastside, Dec. 8

News release CBPD.  On 12/04/17 at around 11:21 AM the Coos Bay Police Department received a 911 call from a man reporting that he was observing a young man stealing mail from mail boxes on 9th Ave. in the Eastside area of Coos Bay. The complainant gave a description of the suspect and advised he was walking south on 9th Ave. in the area of the recent traffic detour. Coos Bay Police Officers were advised and quickly responded to the area to investigate. Officers located the suspect matching the description provided by the complainant, and when they went to contact the suspect, he ran from the officers. Within a few minutes Officers located the man walking north in the 600 block of 10th Ave. When the officers again attempted contact with the man, he again attempted to flee. The man ultimately was taken into custody. The man was identified as 20 year old Derek L Johnson. It was discovered that Mr. Johnson had a felony warrant issued for his arrest out of Washington County for failure to appear on a meth possession charge. Mr. Johnson denied any wrong doing. However the complainant positively identified him as the man he had observed stealing mail. Mr. Johnson was found to be in possession of stolen mail. After Mr. Johnson was taken into custody, a resident contacted the officers and advised that she had observed him on her property, and has recently been experiencing several thefts from her property. Mr. Johnson was transported to the Coos County Jail where he was booked on charges of Mail Theft, interfering with an officer, escape 3, and resisting arrest.  Police suspect that Mr. Johnson has stolen mail and other property in the Eastside Area of Coos Bay before the incident leading to his arrest, and believe he may continue after he is released from jail. The police are asking the public to keep a watchful eye out for any suspicious activity and to call the police if they observe suspicious people wandering around the neighborhood.