A total of 53 rural mailboxes have been breached in Oliver.
Sgt. Ken Harrington said it is unknown what exactly was stolen from the mailboxes at this time.
The public is asked to be aware that thieves have targeted these locations and further, to check their post box and confirm that the box is secure.
“People still do send money to their kids at Christmas. They do send smaller packages in the mail and passports go by mail,” said Harrington.
“So, there really are lots of things that still travel by snail mail.”
Complaints came to RCMP from Canada Post in Oliver that someone has breached the individual mailboxes at the 5400 block of Black Sage Road, Seacrest Hill Road/Pampas Grass Way, 37400 block of Willowbrook Road, Fairview Road and West Avenue, 700 block of Seacrest Road and at Pine Hill Road and Pine Hill Place.
If identifiable items such as cheques, credit cards or other items are missing, Harrington said people should be following the same protocol as if they lost the items.
“Contact the provider and that kind of thing,” said Harrington.
“What I am suggesting to local people is where most people will check their rural post boxes once a week, instead check them daily.
“It is not uncommon for people to do that and I think these criminals opportunists know that.”
RCMP said it appears the boxes were pried open with some kind of tool.
“It’s unfortunate because the rural mailboxes are pretty but they aren’t as secure as the old mailboxes, where you had a personal lock and key,” said Harrington.
“With that you would have to really work on cutting the lock but now with the new boxes they just can pry them open.”
