Alleged California Package Thief’s Fate Now in Missouri’s Hands; Long Sentence Looms

ARROW ROCK, Mo. – A California man could be behind bars for nearly two decades after he was allegedly caught stealing mail from several addresses in rural Missouri.

Saline County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, have revealed that Nathaniel Maher, 40, of Atherton, California, has been charged with stealing mail and resisting arrest after reports of a suspicious individual were made.

A probable cause statement filed by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office indicated that just before 2:30 p.m. on Monday, a caller reported a suspicious man had entered her vehicle in Arrow Rock without permission.

When first responders arrived, they said they found the man, later identified as Maher, as he went through a garbage can at the curb. A large amount of mail had been stuffed in his hands and pockets.

As law enforcement officials approached, they said Maher dropped the mail in his hands. They observed letters from the Missouri Department of Revenue and Saline County Assessor among others.

As investigators attempted to identify Maher, they said he initially gave a false name and appeared to be guessing the names and personal information of those to whom the mail had been addressed.

When law enforcement officials attempted to take Maher into custody, they indicated that he became combative as he attempted to hit and head-butt deputies. He was eventually booked into the Saline County Detention Center. During the booking process, he was found to be under the influence of multiple controlled substances.

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During the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office said it was found the mail in Maher’s possession had been sent to three separate addresses and addressed to five different individuals. The mail included parcels with medicine, vehicle titles, bank notices and more.

As a result, Maher was charged with four counts of stealing a postal or delivery item and a single count of resisting arrest. If convicted he could face up to 17 years behind bars and be forced to pay a $42,000 fine.

As of Sunday, Jan. 26, Maher remains behind bars on a $5,000 bond. A confined docket hearing has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, with a preliminary hearing expected at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 19.

No further information has been released.

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