A months long criminal investigation into burglarized and vandalized communal mailboxes culminated in the arrest of three people on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. Waterford Probationer Rebecca Lynn Reagan, 36, and Hilmar resident Ryan William Swindle, 43, were detained during a traffic enforcement stop in Waterford having just left a residence subject to a search and arrest warrant in the 400 block of “E” Street.
Together with the assistance of the Stanislaus County Probation Department, as well as investigators, special vehicle operations, patrol and community resource deputies with Waterford, Riverbank, Patterson and Hughson Police Services, a large amount of stolen mail, narcotics, a firearm, ammunition, and forensic digital evidence to suggest identity theft were located. Previous felony convictions prohibit Reagan or Swindle from ever again possessing firearms or ammunition. Modesto resident Brittany Dickerson, 30, was also arrested for dangerous narcotics-related charges, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.
The traffic stop was made pursuant to the search warrant in front a business located in the 12700 block of Bentley Street at about 8:45 a.m. Thursday morning. Reagan was in the front passenger seat and Swindle was the driver. Reagan was taken into custody for the mail theft and mailbox vandalism warrant, while Swindle was found to be in possession of a fully loaded .40 caliber handgun, located in his pants pocket. A fair amount of methamphetamine, weapon holsters and bear mace were also found in Swindle’s immediate possession.
Reagan, Swindle and Dickerson were booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center, while detectives continue to process the residence, vehicles, electronic devices, and sort through stacks of recovered stolen mail taken to advance personal identity theft. Interviews are still being conducted and counterparts with the United States Postal Service will help to resolve mail theft cases crossing over into multiple jurisdictions. Trained computer forensic experts with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office will aid in finding those whose personal identifying information has been compromised.
Community Resource Deputy Summerton is the case agent and can be contacted directly at the Waterford substation should members of the public have any information they want to share. He can be reached at (209) 874-2349.
