A 42-year-old man, Abidemi Bello, was arrested by Wichita Falls police after being found in possession of mail belonging to 19 different addresses. The arrest happened on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, and Bello is now facing a mail theft charge.
He was booked into the Wichita County Jail, where he remains in custody as of this report. His bond has been set at $5,000.
What Happened on May 7?
According to the police affidavit, Wichita Falls officers were dispatched to the area of Iowa Park Road and City View Drive. Another team of officers had already detained a man who was reportedly walking in the middle of the road.
The man first gave police the name “Michael Creager”, but officers later confirmed that it was a false identity. His real name was documented as Abidemi Bello.
Police Find Suspicious Mail
One of the officers at the scene noticed that Bello was carrying multiple pieces of mail. When asked about it, Bello reportedly said, “I’m doing work,” and claimed, “That’s my mail.”
After reading him his Miranda rights, officers said Bello agreed to speak with them. When asked where the mail came from, he pointed at three mailboxes nearby and said, “From there. Those are mine, I own this whole street.”
Upon further inspection, officers found that the mail belonged to 19 different people living at various addresses.
Previous Arrest Just a Day Earlier
A search of Wichita County Jail records showed that Bello had just been released from jail on May 6, one day before this new arrest. His earlier arrest on April 24 was for an unrelated charge.
What Is Mail Theft?
Mail theft is a serious crime in the U.S. It involves taking, stealing, or tampering with mail that does not belong to you. This can include letters, packages, or any deliveries left in a mailbox or on a porch.
Punishments can vary depending on the situation, but often include fines, jail time, or federal charges, especially if the case involves multiple victims or stolen identities.