RICHLAND -- Two suspected Grinches were sitting in the Benton County jail Monday after allegedly stealing holiday packages from several Richland homes.
Richland police in recent days received reports of Federal Express and UPS packages believed to have been stolen from the recipients who said they had expected packages that never arrived.
One resident reportedly found an empty box from another mail theft victim along with a receipt inside that police said led them to Dustin A. Stacks, 21, of Richland.
Police got a search warrant for a home on the 1600 block of Van Giesen Street, and early Saturday morning reportedly found stolen property, several items of mail and drugs inside the home.
Police said Stacks admitted to stealing packages along with his girlfriend, Brittany Tilton, 21, of Yakima.
The couple reportedly admitted to stealing about a dozen packages in Richland and West Richland during the past two weeks, police said.
Stacks and Tilton were booked on suspicion of second-degree theft.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of mail theft should call the Richland Police Department at 628-0333.
-- Michelle Dupler: 509-582-1543; mdupler@tricityherald.com
