Westerville Police Issue Warning About Mail Thefts

Police are urging residents to keep an eye on their mailboxes after someone was caught swiping mail.

Pamela Sagraves said she was standing by her kitchen window on Monday with the front door open.

“I noticed there was a car pulled up on the wrong side of the street,” Sagraves said. “I thought he was putting something in the mailbox, like flyers, then I watched him, and he didn’t stop at anybody (else’s) mailbox.”

Sagraves said she was concerned because her daughter’s tax paperwork, including a check, was in the mailbox. All of it was stolen.

“It was scary. That is something you wouldn’t expect, to take your mail out of your mailbox,” Sagraves said.

Police said that mailbox flags often serve as invitations to thieves. Police recommend putting all personal mail in a post office mailbox.

Westerville police also advised residents not to leave mail in mailboxes for an extended period of time and to report stolen mail to the police and the Postal Service.

Sgt. Charles Chandler said mail theft is relatively uncommon.

“I think the uncommon part is actually noticing it and reporting it,” Chandler said. “All you know when you come home from work or the store, is the mail picked up and taken. You don’t know who picked it up and took it.”

Sagraves said that she is watching her mail more closely.

She said she did give police a description of the vehicle involved, but police said they were unable to locate the vehicle.

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