The Colusa County District Attorney’s Office has refiled felony charges against the Stockton man arrested for allegedly breaking into the Arbuckle Post office on Dec. 22, just days before Christmas.
Colusa County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Thompson found there is sufficient evidence for Brent Andrew Hawley, 40, to stand trial for second degree burglary, felony identity theft, and felony theft of possessing the identifications of multiple people.
Thompson on Monday denied Hawley’s request (Marsden motion) to fire his public defender. He will be represented by Attorney Albert Smith.
Hawley was located inside the post office around 11:45 PM lying on the floor, surrounded by unopened mail, with a screwdriver in his hand, attempting to pry open one of the postal boxes, according to testimony at Hawley’s second preliminary hearing on Feb. 27.
According to court records, Hawley has a history of identity theft for personal gain and had been arrested on similar charges in Amador County in 2019 and in Placer County in 2020.
In addition to mail belonging to some 15 Arbuckle residents, a search warrant served on the vehicle located outside the Post Office allegedly led Colusa County Sheriff’s Officials to check-printing equipment; stolen credit cards; identification, including social security numbers, belonging to other individuals; burglary tools; drug paraphernalia; methamphetamine, mail believed to be stolen from the unincorporated town of Brooks in Yolo County; and checks totalling $1,000 to $5,000, at least 17 of which had the original payee erased. Five checks had the payee erased to insert the name Joshua Miller, an alleged victim whose identity was reportedly stolen to purchase a vehicle and open bank accounts, according to testimony.
The investigation into the Arbuckle Post Office burglary revealed that Hawley is suspected of multiple mail thefts in different locations, law enforcement officials said.
In addition to the three felony charges related to theft over $950, Hawley will be rearraigned on multiple misdemeanor charges alleging possession of stolen property under $950 and drug possession.
Hawley has not yet entered a plea on the charges and is being held in the Colusa County Jail without bail. ■