Police: Thieves not deterred by locked mailboxes | Crime

A recent rash of mail theft throughout the city has police warning residents to be on the look out.

According to Tukwila Police spokesman Mike Murphy, over the weekend a homeowner reported their locked mail box had been pried open and their mail stolen.

"That was a determined thief that didn't care if he ruined someone's Christmas," said Murphy.

Murphy says police did catch a mail thief last week and are currently pursuing a case against him.

Below are a list of tips from police to try and help you avoid becoming the next victim:

1. Put outgoing mail in a USPS outgoing mail box.  They are well built and we seldom have them successfully pried open.  An unlocked mailbox with a red flag up is, well, a red flag for thieves too.

2. Use good quality locking boxes.  Mount them in a conspicuous location with good lighting and visibility.  This will deter many thieves but isn't a guarantee.

3. Consider using a Post Office box.

4. Thieves hit at night and during the day; empty your mailbox often.

5. If your mail is stolen and it contains personal information or bank account information, contact your financial institution as soon as possible.  They will help you report the theft to the credit bureaus.

6. If you see a person stealing mail (or even think they are), call 911 immediately!  If they are in a car, try to get a license plate number.  Remember, you are never bothering the police when you call 911.  Even if you are mistaken and it is a legitimate citizen doing nothing wrong, they should appreciate that a neighbor cared enough to call police when they saw something suspicious.