Attempted mail thefts reported near 18th, Park

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Twice this week, neighbors in a south-side neighborhood woke up to find the doors to their mailboxes open.

One woman who declined to give her last name snapped pictures, made calls and reached out to her neighbors when she noticed all of the mailboxes on her block near Park and 18th were open on two separate days this week.

"I've talked to the police and I've talked to the mail people," Kathryn said. "It's just really odd, it's just odd."

Kathryn says she and her neighbors feel helpless because they can't keep their eyes on their mail boxes 24 hours a day, but so far investigators say she's doing everything right.

"It's tax season, and we realize there might be some important pieces of mail," U.S. Postal Inspector David Birch said.

Birch referenced tax returns and documents that might list a social security number.

"Definitely make reports not only for insurance purposes but also so we can catch these bad guys," Birch said.

Go to the postal inspector and police and be able to describe what was taken. Last year the local inspectors arrested more than a dozen suspects on charges related to mail theft.

Investigators say many people don't know what's missing until it's too late, so it's important to check your accounts more often than usual this time of year.

Those who believe their mail was stolen can make a report at (877) 876-2455, toll free, or visit

http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov