Thief targets Vegas post offices

Friday, April 22, 2005 | 9:58 a.m.

U.S. postal inspectors in Las Vegas are asking for the public's help to catch a thief who has been breaking into post office boxes and stealing the contents, primarily in western and northwestern areas of Las Vegas.

"This is a little unusual; it rarely occurs," postal inspector Donald Obritsch said. "We've had very few of these."

Although he would not go into detail on the technique the thief uses to break into mailboxes, Obritsch said typically thieves pry open locked boxes.

The man postal inspectors are looking for appears to be in his 20s, Obritsch said. He dresses casually, has a slender build and short dark hair.

The break ins have occurred between midnight and 5 a.m. Two of the break ins were captured on videotape, Obritsch said. The latest break ins occurred at 4:27 a.m. Monday and at 12:20 a.m. on April 15.

"We don't know if there is more than one suspect," Obritsch said.

Post office boxes on North Jones Boulevard, Tenaya Way and Cheyenne Avenue have experienced break ins.

The postal service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone for theft of the mail, Obritsch said. Theft and possession of stolen mail are federal crimes punishable by fines and imprisonment for up to five years.

Witnesses with information about the thefts should contact Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

Postal inspectors remind customers to remove mail from mailboxes each delivery day and to safeguard their identities by minimizing release of Social Security numbers, birth dates and account numbers.

Deposit outgoing mail containing checks and personal information at a secure location, such as a post office, hand it to a letter carrier, place it in a blue collection box or mail it from a place of employment.

Shred mail containing account numbers and personal identification to avoid identity theft.

By reviewing credit card and bank account statements monthly, people can catch a problem early.