Check your box regularly is the message from the RCMP.
Cpl. Brian Evans of the Keremeos detachment said there’s been at least 12 incidents of mailboxes being broken into in the Lower Similkameen over the last month.
“This issue happens year round. We believe that the people doing this are travelling through. They drive through the region and hit mailboxes along the way. If they aren’t successful at one they say, ‘OK let’s try another one,'” he said. “Usually when they’re happening here the same day there are reports coming in from Kaleden and Okanagan Falls.”
Evans said the best way to prevent theft is to empty the contents of your mailbox daily.
“You never know when they’re going to hit yours. If you notice someone at a mailbox in the middle of the night and they are there for more than 30 seconds something isn’t right and you should call police.”
Evans said the damage and thefts to mailboxes are happening everywhere in Cawston, Keremeos and Olalla.
He didn’t comment on what had been stolen. Several years ago a mailbox was broken into on Upper Bench Road and new credit cards were taken. The cards were activated and used by the thieves.
“If it’s empty there is nothing for them to take,” he said.
Car flips near Chopaka
The female driver of a Chevy Aveo escaped injury after she lost control of her car and flipped just south of Chopaka Road on Jan. 22.
Cpl. Evans said the woman swerved to avoid stones on the road and she lost control, hit the rock face and the car turned over onto its roof.
“There was no serious injuries. The air bags went off. She was able to get out herself,” he said.
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