Two Men Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Mail, Then Forging Checks

Two men were arrested on suspicion of stealing bill payments from the mailboxes of Orange County residents and then forging the checks to make purchases at area stores, authorities said Thursday.

Investigators allege that David Seong-Hak Song, 19, and his brother Peter Young-Hak Song, 22, ran a check forgery operation from their Downey home.

They were arrested Wednesday at the home, where investigators found more than 200 forged checks and equipment used to produce counterfeit checks and false identifications, Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Ron Wilkerson said.

The Songs are suspected of stealing mail from mailboxes, removing the ink from personal checks and then forging the checks to make purchases at various Orange County businesses, Wilkerson said.

He said the brothers also are suspected of producing computer-generated money orders and accessing credit card accounts.

During the arrest, investigators seized $5,000 in cash; chemicals used to remove ink; laminating, computer and photography equipment; and other materials used to make false identifications and alter checks, according to Wilkerson.

“This is becoming a growing problem,” he said.

Both men were booked at Orange County Jail on suspicion of forgery, receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit forgery. They were also arrested for possession of completed checks and acquiring access card information with the intent to defraud.