OLALLA, Wash. — On Oct. 15, Kitsap County deputies responded to a burglary at a post office on Burley Olalla Rd.
They arrived to find packages ripped open and an open safe.
However, deputies soon learned from the U.S. Postal Inspectors’ Service that something else had been taken.
“They notified us that slips for mail holds that were taken in the burglary,” said Kevin McCarty of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. “These were slips that the mail carriers would use to remind them of which homes had mail holds, people out of town, on vacation, off in a winter home somewhere. That means they don’t want their mail delivered there because they’re not home.”
Court documents say soon after, four homes matching those mail holds were burglarized.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office says there was an additional attempted burglary, but the couple came home in time.
“This is something I’ve actually never come across in almost 10 years of investigating mail-related crimes and mail-related offenses, including burglaries of post offices,” said John Wiegand, a U.S. Postal Inspector. “This is a first for me.”
After going through video surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, investigators eventually connected the burglaries to Tina Woods.
She was arrested on Wednesday in her home, hiding in a hollowed-out dresser.
In court, prosecutors said Woods faces 24 additional felony charges.
Woods is also a suspect in an investigation in Jefferson County which involves multiple burglaries, including a post office.
Woods’ husband, Paul, was also charged with burglary.
The judge set bail at $25,000 after prosecutors warned of the potential danger if Woods is not in custody.
“It’s astonishing, the extent of criminal activity recently across multiple jurisdictions,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Robert Appleyard. “Residential burglaries could easily, easily lead to violence, so I do believe there’s a concern as well, for the safety of the community.”
Since post offices are considered federal buildings, the Woods couple could also face federal charges.