The Camp Verde Marshal’s Office announced Sept. 16 the arrest of 57-year-old Laura Lee Amundson of Rimrock on drug charges, tied to a broader investigation into a string of suspected mail and package thefts of mailboxes across the Verde Valley, with several incidents centered around the Salt Mine Road area.
CVMO spokesman Dustin Richardson said he believes the thefts under investigation date back “for at least one year.”
“The investigation began after CVMO received reports of stolen mail and packages from residential mailboxes. Information provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service identified numerous additional reports of rifled and stolen mail that had been recovered in and around Camp Verde,” CVMO wrote.
Postal inspectors are continuing to assist CVMO in tracking down other possible victims and working to determine the full volume and dollar value of stolen mail.
CVMO investigators hid GPS trackers inside packages and, with residents’ permission, placed them in mailboxes around the area. On Tuesday, Aug. 11, one of those tracked packages was removed from a mailbox and turned up at a residence in Camp Verde.
The tracker led CVMO to a white Kia Sportage. Amundson was arrested and booked on drug-related charges.
“The vehicle was searched with the driver’s consent,” CVMO wrote. “Investigators located suspected stolen property, including previously reported stolen merchandise, mail, identification cards, financial cards, and other items believed to have been taken from mailboxes throughout the Verde Valley.”
“Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for a residence in Camp Verde,” CVMO wrote. “During execution of the search warrant, investigators seized additional property, including numerous firearms, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. One of the firearms was later determined to have been reported stolen from Phoenix.”
CVMO said additional charges tied to the mail-theft investigation could still be filed. Amundson was charged with one count of possession or use of a dangerous drug, which has since been dismissed by Yavapai County Superior Court. She has pleaded guilty to one count of possession or use of drug paraphernalia.
Residents who believe they may have had mail or packages stolen, or who have information about the case, can contact Lt. Justin Reay at 928-554-8335 or justin.reay@campverde.az.gov.
