Police making headway on mail theft probe

Police say they’re close to capturing the people behind a spike in thefts from mailboxes at apartment and condo buildings in Saskatoon.

Central division Insp. Randy Huisman said police received three reports of mailbox break-ins in October, nine in November and 24 in December.

“When you look at it, it doesn’t seem like a lot, but each incident is several victims,” Huisman said of the 36 reports. “They could attack 20 mailboxes in one incident.”

This type of crime is common during the holidays, as thieves target gift cards and cash. Huisman noted mail theft is also one of the tools criminals use for identity theft at all times of the year. Addictions issues are likely a “driving factor” behind the trend, he said.

“We have thieves looking for credit cards, identification, personal ID about people. And that then allows them to obtain fraudulent credit cards, open up new accounts in the victims’ names, and they just keep the frauds going.”

A prepared statement from Canada Post said its Saskatchewan operations team is not aware of any “specific incidents,” but noted it may not receive a report if a theft occurred after delivery.

“We take the security of the mail very seriously and do everything possible to keep it safe,” the statement read, noting Canada Post “works closely” with police and will “provide investigative support as required.”

A later statement noted: “All criminal incidents and accidents involving our customers’ mail and our equipment are a concern to Canada Post.” Due to the fact these mailboxes are privately owned, local police have jurisdiction, the statement noted, but Canada Post said it will “work with the authorities to support their investigative efforts.”

City police have increased resources in “hot spot” areas where there’s a high number of multiunit dwellings, such as City Park and Saskatoon’s downtown. Huisman said officers will be in place until the situation is under control,

noting police have made arrests regarding suspicious behaviour and have further suspects in mind. Mail thieves also target parking and storage areas and are often repeat offenders, he said.

“We find that as soon as they’re back out on the street, they resort to doing it.”

Huisman said landlords and tenants have roles to play in combating theft, such as by encouraging people to improve security by replacing older mailboxes and installing high-resolution surveillance cameras. Participation in the city’s crime free multi-housing program may lower instances of crime at a building, he said.

Tenants should avoid letting unknown people inside and should not approach a suspicious person, but report a description to police.

“If your gut feeling is it doesn’t appear right, it probably isn’t right,” he said.