Mail, identity thief gets more than three years in prison

A thief who raided locked mailboxes for more than a year in the greater Seattle area is sentenced to 44 months in federal prison.

U.S. Postal investigators claim Wilfredo Bermudez, 40, stole identities, cashed, or tried to cash forged checks from 27 different victims netting him almost $80,000.

In one instance, to appear legitimate, he altered a check and wrote “heat and cold system replacement” in the notation line. He then wore a plumber’s outfit into the bank, according to court records in his case.

Surveillance video showed Bermudez breaking into a mailbox. Also visible is a red Hummer, purchased with money from his crimes.

Investigators claim Bermudez would often dispose of or destroy the rest of victims’ mail.

Bermudez was arrested in Nov. 2012.