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How to protect your mail during the holiday season

Pasco mail thief caught on video
Posted at 5:51 PM, Dec 12, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-12 17:51:00-05

HOLIDAY, Fla. — Dottie Remchuck goes all out for Christmas by decorating her home and even helping her neighbors.

“Look at all these pretty things she put up. Now at night is when it will really glow and be pretty,” said neighbor Louise Noonan.

“When somebody just comes by and says it looks great that’s enough,” said Remchuck.

Dottie’s mailbox is decked out too, but she said she makes sure the mail inside doesn’t stay there long.

“Never leave it in there,” she said. “Especially this time of year, everybody is looking to get something for free.”

And that’s exactly what the Pasco Sheriff’s Office says someone was trying to do at 3 a.m., December 10.

A surveillance camera captured a person going from mailbox to mailbox down Blossom Lake Drive in Holiday, seeing if there was anything to steal.

That’s got Dottie angry!

“That’s a personal affront against somebody that’s worked all their life to get certain things, now somebody just steals it from you. Especially from the elderly is just sad.”

Investigators say mail thieves are especially common this time of year, looking for cards with money or gift cards inside.

The Postal Service says the safest way to send mail is to drop it off directly at the post office or hand it to a letter carrier. Sending cash is always a bad idea. And for incoming mail, they say pick it up right away, just like Dottie.

“I’m retired so I can do that.”

If you aren’t home when the mail comes and expecting something of value, ask a friend or trusted neighbor to grab it.

Other important things to remember, let the post office know if you are going to be out of town so they can hold your mail. And report all suspected mail theft right away.

Anyone who recognizes the person below is asked to call the Pasco Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-706-2488.