BLAINE, Wash. — A citizen called What-Comm 911 about 11pm on August 21st to report seeing a suspicious vehicle with occupants that were opening mailboxes in the area of Birch Bay Drive and Alderson Road. A subsequent check of the area by a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy located a car fitting the description provided and the deputy pulled the vehicle over in the 4700 block of Alderson Road.
According to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Deb Slater, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Sarah Jane Brown, age 37, of Blaine, gave consent to search the vehicle. The search located 89 pieces of mail from 49 different addresses across Whatcom County, dozens of small baggies, an electronic scale and 7 grams of methamphetamine.
Brown admitted to stealing the mail and using and selling methamphetamine. She also implicated the passenger in the vehicle, identified as Clarissa Judith Miranda, age 28, from Bellingham, as helping her steal the mail.
Brown and Miranda were arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail. Brown was charged with suspicion of driving while her license was suspended, operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock, delivery of a controlled substance and possession of stolen mail. Miranda was charged with suspicion of possession of stolen mail.
As of August 23rd, both suspects remained in custody pending being able to post appearance bonds; $20,000 for Brown and $10,000 for Miranda.