Full Notification

CITY OF MOORPARK
POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS STORY

www.VCSD.org

Nature of Incident: Theft from US Postal Service Mailboxes
Location: City of Moorpark, California
Date & Time: August 18, 2015, 4:00PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Moorpark Police Department, Investigations Unit & Beat Coordinator’s Unit
Narrative:


The City of Moorpark is experiencing an increase in thefts from the blue United States Post Office mailboxes located outside of United States Post Office buildings.
Please remember that Postal Inspectors across the country work hard to protect your mail. But with deliveries to more than 100 million addresses, the Postal Inspection Service can't do the job alone.
Here's what you can do to protect your mail from thieves
• Use the letter slots inside your Post Office for your mail, or hand it to a letter carrier.
• Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
• If you don't receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
• If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.
• Don’t send cash in the mail.
• Tell your Post Office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return.
• Report all suspected mail theft to a Postal Inspector.
• Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. By exchanging work and vacation schedules with trusted friends and neighbors, you can watch each other's mailboxes (as well as homes).
• Consult with your local Postmaster for the most up-to-date regulations on mailboxes, including the availability of locked centralized or curbside mailboxes.
If you see or suspect a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately 9-1-1, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 and (press 3).
(Source for this information is from the US Postal Inspector ):
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/mailfraud/fraudschemes/mailtheft/tipthieves.aspx


Prepared by: Sr. Dep. Beat Coordinator Robert Berger
Media Release Date: August 18, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Ken Truitt (805) 947-8222
Approved by: Stephen Wade, Captain

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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