Criminals Targeting South Bay Mail Boxes - by NBC11

The following was aired on Channel 3 (NBC11) last night (5/11). According to the news, mail box at Navaro Way has been the latest hit of the string of recent mail thefts in the bay area. I don't think this relates to the "master key" issue that was previously posted a month of so ago; according to the news the locks were broken and mails like credit card statement and bank statements were stolen. Just wondering if the Board or HOA is aware of this issue as Villagio is now on the news!!

"Since January 1, thieves have vandalized 20 postal cluster boxes in San Jose.

Cluster boxes are locked mail boxes, usually seen on sidewalks where up to 10 residents of an apartment complex can pick up their mail.

The crooks have taken checks, credit card information and other mail.

"It's very unusual that they actually hit cluster boxes," said Gus Ruiz, postal spokesman in San Jose.

"What meth labs need is quick cash," said Ruiz. "They'll hit anything they can and mail happens to be an easy target for them. They will move all over the place, through Arizona and into California. We've had a rash of them in southern California. As soon as we concentrate on that, they move up north. "

When asked if they could be moving to the Bay Area, Ruiz said, "Could be. it's possible."

The latest hit was at the Velagio condominium community in north San Jose.

Thieves hit a wall-mounted cluster box next to Jyoti Srivastava's condo.

Soon after, Srivastava says the postal police asked her for a favor.

"The inspector, he wanted to install a camera, at least for a couple weeks, to record activities or whatever," said Srivastava.

Srivastava said the surveillance camera was to be placed on her bedroom window.

But the plan never worked out.

Hilary Ricker with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service told NBC Bay Area her officers have identified a suspect, and may make an arrest soon.

But she doesn't believe he is acting alone, and hopes to catch the other suspects before they hit their 21st cluster box of the year.

First Published: May 11, 2010 2:42 PM PDT"

So I personally wasn't aware. The only information I knew was what was told to me by Peachtree and the single conversation I had with someone at the post office. I was told that they were doing an "investigation" but didn't give me any details. Peachtree told me about the masterlock issue. Perhaps these were two separate items. I wish the resident mentioned had communicated with us but....

Thanks. I hope that resident can contact you or Peachtree to provide more information. Other than that, the only thing we could do now is to be more alert on "suspicious" people walking around at the complex. My bedroom is also right opposite to the mail box and will certainly pay more attention to strange noises especially at night.