Salem mail theft suspect arrested after seven-hour standoff with police SWAT team

SALEM, Ore. — Police arrested another person in an ongoing investigation of mail theft in the Salem area.

Salem Police Department and the Salem Police SWAT team executed a search warrant of Brett Todd Regimbal, 49, residence yesterday.

Police say the SWAT team was requested due to firearms concerns in multiple investigations involving Regimbal.

According to Salem police, Regimbal did not immediately leave his residence. It took law officials nearly seven hours and all attempts by the Crisis Negotiations Team to communicate with him. After that, the house was cleared with a police canine resulting in the arrest of the 49-year-old man.

Detectives with the assistance of the United States Postal Inspection Service found more evidence of mail theft including; counterfeit mail keys, as well as evidence of identity theft and fraud, and small quantities of methamphetamine and a substance suspected to be fentanyl.

The suspect was transported to the hospital for his bite from the police canine and now he is lodged at Polk County on the following charges:

• Strangulation
• Possession of a burglary tool or device
• Identity theft
• Criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree
• Interfering with a peace officer

Officials say he was also held on charges from a concurrent domestic violence investigation.

Police say the investigation remains active; however, with Regimbal’s arrest, all further inquiries into this case should be directed to the Polk County District Attorney’s Office.

Law enforcement encourages anyone who is a victim of mail theft to file reports with the Salem Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service.