HOLLYWOOD PARK, Texas – Two suspects arrested in connection with a major mail theft operation both have a long list of prior crimes, according to Hollywood Park police.
During a routine traffic stop, officers apprehended Sean Martinez, 37, and Skylar Carter, 33, on Tuesday, which led to the discovery of a larger operation involving stolen mail.
Sean Martinez and Skylar Carter’s booking photos. (Copyright 2026 by BCSO – All rights reserved.)
“Both suspects in this case are career criminals who’ve been in and out of jail and prison for much of their adult lives,” said Det. Sgt. Travis Thornton, Hollywood Park PD’s public information officer.
Records show Martinez had previous arrests related to 24 infractions, while Carter had 15 prior charges. This time, both face serious mail theft charges.
“What started as a great observation by one of our patrol officers, he spotted a vehicle with stolen license plates,” Thornton explained.
The traffic stop occurred when the suspects’ vehicle broke down alongside Loop 1604 not far from U.S. Highway 281. When officers searched the car, they found a treasure trove of illegal items, including about 400 pieces of stolen mail, guns, narcotics, and counterfeit mailbox keys.
“We also found evidence that (Martinez) was manufacturing postal box keys,” Thornton mentioned, indicating that Martinez may have been selling these keys to other criminals.
The stolen mail appeared to come from various municipalities, including San Antonio. However, police believe the suspects were planning to commit further crimes in Hollywood Park at the time of their arrest.
“We’re working with our partner agencies to go through the evidence and contact the victims,” Thornton added.
For those who think their mail or personal information may have been stolen, police suggest closely monitoring their accounts and credit records. Signing up for fraud alerts with major credit bureaus can also help protect against identity theft.
Additionally, police encourage people to avoid sending checks or items containing personal information through the mail to minimize the risk of theft.
