Cops: Suspect stole holiday cards

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CNN) - If you were expecting a holiday card that never arrived, you might not have been snubbed by your friends. Authorities in California said they have arrested a man accused of stealing hundreds of pieces of mail from people's mailboxes.

Officials said Keith Allen Skipper, 35, is suspected of taking gift cards, checks and cash from holiday cards and letters.

Gregg Redman said he was waiting for several birthday cards with checks inside over the holidays and never got them.

Federal investigators believe Skipper is to blame for the missing mail. Tuesday, he was taken into federal custody and charged with mail theft. In early December, Nevada County sheriff's investigators said they caught Skipper red-handed, inside his car, with more than 240 pieces of mail that was not his.

Skyler Phelps lives near where Skipper was caught. He said he knew something was up after he said his community mailbox was destroyed.

"There was a stack of mail and PGE bills all over the place," said Phelps. "I looked at my box and saw this all mangled up."

Skipper was arrested and released on bail. Weeks later, investigators said just days before Christmas, he struck again. Deputies caught him again, and this time, federal authorities said Skipper will not be skipping out of jail anytime soon.

If convicted, Skipper could face up to 20 years in prison.