Residents in southwest Houston are on edge after a woman was seen on video stealing mail, part of a troubling trend in the area.
HOUSTON — Surveillance video captured a woman stealing mail from community mailboxes in southwest Houston, and residents say the thefts are part of an ongoing problem in the area.
The incident happened May 21 around 7:30 a.m. on Meadowcroft Drive near Richmond Avenue and Dunvale Road.
Video shows a woman removing stacks of mail from a neighborhood mailbox unit and loading them into a pickup truck before returning to the mailboxes and driving away.
Residents said similar thefts have happened multiple times in the neighborhood, leaving many frustrated and concerned about the safety of their personal information and belongings.
Postal inspectors are now investigating and are offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.
Investigators said the suspects appear to have used a key to access the locked mailbox units.
“The criminals use a key and gain access to the inside where they can take all the mail out,” Postal Inspector Miguel Arispe said.
Residents say the thefts have impacted several households.
“Mail actually stolen and rummaged through, and personal items stolen as well,” resident Preston Winsett said.
Some neighbors have started taking extra precautions. One resident said he installed a sensor on his mailbox to alert him whenever it is opened.
Winsett said the repeated incidents have left neighbors uneasy.
“It doesn’t make you feel safe. It’s very frustrating knowing someone is going through your items,” he said.
Investigators said it is still unclear how the suspects obtained access to the mailboxes or whether they have any connection to the postal service.
“It could be a former postal worker or someone using a real or counterfeit key. The investigation is ongoing, so we have yet to determine that,” an investigator said.
Postal inspectors are encouraging residents to check their mail daily, monitor deliveries and ask trusted neighbors to watch for suspicious activity.
Residents said the thefts are especially concerning for people waiting on important documents, including IDs and financial information.
“I have a driver’s license renewal supposed to come in, and I’m nervous about that,” one resident said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or report tips online at USPS.com/report.
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