Rusty Sellner, 34, of Newbury Park pleaded not guilty Thursday, Oct. 8, to multiple felony charges tied to a string of mail thefts across Thousand Oaks, as first reported by the Ventura County Star.
Sellner has been charged with more than a dozen felonies in separate cases since February, according to court records cited by the Star. The charges include grand theft, identity theft, check forgery, burglary, mail theft, possession of a hard drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office identified Sellner as the primary suspect after deputies assigned to Thousand Oaks responded to more than 15 mail theft calls during July, August and September, according to a sheriff's office press release. The thefts allegedly occurred primarily during early morning hours.
Detectives in the East County Investigations Bureau's Property Crimes Unit used automated license plate reader technology, known as ALPR, to track a vehicle linked to the crimes. That database led investigators to Sellner, according to the sheriff's office.
Parole search turned up stolen cards and checks
On Sept. 10, detectives and Sellner's parole agent searched his residence. They found multiple credit and debit cards, blank checks in victims' names and stolen mail connected to the cases under investigation, the sheriff's office stated.
Sellner was already on parole for burglary and is classified in Ventura County as a Serious Habitual Offender. He had been arrested earlier in 2026 in connection with a similar series of alleged thefts in Thousand Oaks, according to the sheriff's office.
On Sunday, Oct. 4, sheriff's dispatch received an ALPR alert indicating a vehicle associated with Sellner was traveling near his residence. Deputies found him inside the vehicle and took him into custody on the pending investigation and an outstanding parole warrant.
Bail set at $200,000
Sellner was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. The charges include check forgery, grand theft, identity theft, burglary, theft with prior convictions, mail theft and identity theft with prior convictions.
He also faces charges of possessing the identities of 10 or more people, possession of stolen property, drug paraphernalia possession, possession of a hard drug and a parole hold.
His bail is set at $200,000. He remains in custody.
The sheriff's office stated that Sellner may be responsible for additional thefts in Ventura County and surrounding counties. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.
No future court date has been publicly announced.
Residents who observe suspicious activity can call 911 or the Thousand Oaks Police Department's non-emergency line at (805) 654-9511. To receive Nixle alerts, text your zip code to 888777.
