PROSPECT, CT — Police are investigating multiple reports of mailbox thefts that occurred overnight.
The Prospect Police Department said thieves are approaching mailboxes by vehicle, stealing the contents, and quickly driving away.
Police said mail theft has become an increasing problem in many areas of Prospect and throughout Connecticut.
Thieves are targeting both residential mailboxes and United States Postal Service collection boxes located in residential and business areas, according to police.
Police said thieves look for residential mailboxes with outgoing mail flags in the upright position and steal the contents.
Thieves are also gaining access to USPS collection boxes to steal larger amounts of mail in a shorter amount of time, police said.
Police said thieves sort through stolen mail to recover checks and other valuables, then alter and fraudulently cash stolen checks.
Thieves may also use information from stolen checks to gain access to victims’ bank accounts, according to police.
Police are advising residents to promptly pick up mail and not leave letters and packages in mailboxes or at doors for any length of time.
Residents should deposit outgoing mail into USPS collection boxes before the last collection or inside their local post office, police said.
Police said residents should contact senders as soon as possible if they do not receive expected checks, credit cards, or other valuable mail.
Police are advising residents not to send cash in the mail and to arrange for prompt pickup if they cannot be home to receive packages.
Residents should consider requesting signature confirmation when mailing important or valuable items, police said.
Police are urging anyone who observes suspicious activity around mailboxes or collection boxes not to confront or follow suspects but to call police immediately.
