KETTERING — Police in Kettering said officers found outside mailboxes tampered with over the weekend, and in Beavercreek someone messed with drop boxes there.
This is the third time in the last month that someone has targeted postal employees or facilities.
Last week, NewsCenter 7 reported the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office took more than two dozen reports of thefts at the Paragon Post Office.
More people said they are worried that they could lose money paying bills through the postal service.
>> RELATED STORY: Police: Two post office locations ‘victimized’ in Kettering, Beavercreek
The latest incidents happened over the weekend when Kettering Police said that a facility in the city and one in Beavercreek had outside drop boxes either tampered with or broken into.
Sarah Ran, of Beavercreek, said, “that’s saying something, not just for the economy. That they would go rip off mailboxes to see if there are checks there,”
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Ran said she can’t believe people are now breaking into post office property. She pulled out of the drop-off line and parked. Ran decided to take mail inside the building to secure its safety.
Charlie Kuhnwald, of Kettering, said, “Instead of dropping outside, I went inside and did my business inside to try to cut down on theft,”
Kuhnwald is doing the same thing in Kettering. He saw the police department social media post about the problems. Kettering investigators said their officers discovered the drop box doors were not secure overnight Saturday and then discovered three different drop box containers empty.
“It’s a little frustrating when, you know, I think the post office could put some cameras on the mailbox and maybe catch these people,” Kuhnwald said.
>> RELATED STORY: Almost 30 mail thefts reported at area post office; A victim’s warning to others
A spokesperson for the United States Postal Services refused to on-camera today, but said an active investigation is going on and they cannot discuss the specifics due to maintaining the integrity of the investigation.
The spokesperson went on to say, that consumers are encouraged to contact the United State Postal Inspection Service with any information related to the ongoing investigation or to report mail theft activity.
Rosie Blake, of Kettering, said, “It is concerning because I mail my checks all the time.” She hopes that the thieves don’t victimize her.
“I don’t have any money to give anybody. I really don’t. I just got to pay my bills and make sure everything stays on at my house. Just got to pay my bills,” Blake said.
>> RELATED STORY: Kettering Police warning residents of rise thefts at post office drop boxes
Several local law enforcement agencies said it customers are uncomfortable dropping off mail in the blue mailboxes that the best approach is to walk inside the post office branch and drop the mail inside to make sure it’s safe and secure.
Anyone who may have used the outside mail boxes to send off mail between 12 a.m. on Friday and 2 a.m. on Saturday are encouraged to email the United States Postal Office Inspector at CFOMT@uspis.gov or call (877)876-2455.
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