Chino Valley woman arrested on mail theft charges

A Chino Valley woman has been arrested for allegedly stealing checks from a Prescott-area church and from the mail of several individuals.

Summer Arnold, 27, faces charges of mail theft, identity theft, fraudulent schemes and forgery.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said Arnold was arrested after an extensive investigation during the last part of November and early December.

The investigation began on Nov. 21 when a church reported business checks had been stolen from its mailbox. Several checks were cashed at the Chino Valley Safeway. A review of videotapes and a membership card application led investigators to identify Arnold as the suspect, but they could not locate her.

She was arrested Dec. 2 when a Safeway employee called the sheriff's office and reported Arnold was in the store and trying to cash another stolen check.

Deputies said another investigation, which began Nov. 23, linked Arnold to the theft of mail and checks from 24 Chino Valley residents.