The postal inspection service has confirmed an investigation is underway.
HOUSTON — Federal investigators are looking into a mail theft at the River Oaks post office after thieves somehow managed to break into multiple P.O. boxes at the West Gray and Dunlavy location.
Despite the break-in, it’s business as usual just inside the post office doors. But the recent theft has left some customers questioning just how secure their mail really is.
“I was surprised because I thought they would have more security there,” said Alice Ahn, who doesn’t have a P.O. box herself but always brings her mail inside as a precaution.
The incident has made her think twice about ever getting a box.
“It’s like a safe space, so you would think things like that wouldn’t happen,” Ahn said.
The postal inspection service confirmed to KHOU 11 that several boxes were hit, though exactly how the thieves managed to crack them open remains unclear. What’s not a mystery is how they got inside the building in the first place.
Customer Mattie Lewis explains that the main doors stay unlocked around the clock so box holders can grab their mail whenever they need to.
“Twenty-four hours,” Lewis said when asked about access. “I come in all hours of the day and night to get my mail.”
Here’s what’s particularly concerning: KHOU 11 found that many P.O. box doors are still hanging open, with personal mail visible inside some of them.
For Lewis, who’s been a loyal customer since the 1980s, the whole situation is hard to believe. “I wouldn’t expect that because I get all of my packages, all of my mail here, and I’ve been doing it since the ’80s.”
USPS management has reached out to everyone whose boxes were affected, and postal inspectors are working to track down whoever’s responsible. In the meantime, they’re telling P.O. box users to check their mail more frequently.
Despite everything, Lewis isn’t ready to give up on her local post office just yet. “I’m going to hold out faith for the post office. I love it.”
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