Two Vancouver, Washington, residents made their initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today after being charged by criminal complaint with theft or receipt of stolen mail. JOLYNN MAY, 34, and MYCHAL LECOURIS, 30, both of Vancouver, Washington, were apprehended December 24, 2010, after a month long theft spree. JASON MAY, 34, is also charged and remains detained in Clark County, Washington. According to the charging document, the three traveled the Southwest Washington area stealing packages from porches and from locked security mailboxes. The three used tools to pry open the locked boxes when it appeared a package had been left. JOLYNN MAY is in custody pending a detention hearing tomorrow, MYCHAL LECOURIS has a detention hearing scheduled next week.

According to the criminal complaint, alert neighbors called police and described the car seen at community mailboxes and at locations where packages had been stolen. One neighbor provided a license plate number. Local police and agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service put the address linked to the car under surveillance. On Christmas Eve, the MAYs and LECOURIS arrived at the apartment with multiple opened packages and packing material in their car. A search of the apartment and the car turned up new merchandise and toys which appeared to have been stolen from various addresses. Some of the merchandise had been wrapped and placed under the MAYs’ Christmas tree.

Theft and receipt of stolen mail is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Vancouver Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kate Vaughan.