Residents in multi-family homes have fallen victim to mail theft this month. Three individuals carrying boxes and luggage filled with mail were caught on camera in the lobby of an apartment in the 500 block of S. Barrington Ave.
“We have hundreds of people in my building who didn’t get mail for a week, and there may have all ready been some instances of identity theft,” Leeor Alpern told the Brentwood Community Council Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Luckily, security cameras in the building captured clear images of the three individuals toting baggage and stealing from the apartment mailbox. The head of the trio was also identified and linked to another theft in the local community.
“Thankfully we had cameras that caught it,” Alpern said. “We know that it has happened at least a couple times in our building over the past few weeks, and it may have occurred in a neighboring building, as well.”
Theft of mail is a federal offense that can get someone up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
Residents don’t know how the thieves got into the buildings or mailboxes.
Another BCC member said it had happened in his building as well, as the thieves had somehow obtained a copy of the master key from the Post Man.
“Make sure everyone sees these faces. Please keep an eye out for them,” Alpern said.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service urges that anyone who believes his or her mail was stolen report it immediately by submitting an online complaint at postalinspectors.uspis.gov or calling 877.876.2455.
