Burglars target Arlington post office for 2nd time in 3 weeks
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ARLINGTON, Wash. -- For the second time in three weeks, thieves targeted the Arlington post office and made off with mail and various packages.
After breaking into the facility, the burglars pried open boxes containing packages and mail.
Many within the community were shocked to learn their mail was so vulnerable.
"You'd think your mail is safe at the post office," one resident said. "It's unfortunate."
The post office's lobby doors are kept open around the clock so residents who work irregular hours can still have access to the office, but some wonder if that's the best policy.
"Of course we're going to take more steps and additional measures to improve the security and reduce the risk for those customers who have their mail there," said postal inspector Dave Schroader .
Others are worried about what might happen if they walked in on a burglary in progress.
"If I were to walk in on someone while they were breaking into somebody's mail, I would be concerned that maybe they would turn their aggression towards me," said Julie Corgiat.
Officials say the greater concern is the possibility of identity theft.
"When I retrieved my mail I had some fraudulent credit cards in my name," customer Christine Minge said.
Minge had to cancel all her credit cards and now has to get clearance on the phone every time she uses her new cards at a register.
"A big pain, definitely," She said. "A very big inconvenience."
Investigators aren't sure if the same people are responsible for both burglaries, but Schroader is confident he'll nab the thieves.
"We're very good at identifying and capturing them," he said.
The Postal Inspection Service asks anyone with information about the burglaries to call their tip line at (877) 876-2455. You may be entitled to a reward.
After breaking into the facility, the burglars pried open boxes containing packages and mail.
Many within the community were shocked to learn their mail was so vulnerable.
"You'd think your mail is safe at the post office," one resident said. "It's unfortunate."
The post office's lobby doors are kept open around the clock so residents who work irregular hours can still have access to the office, but some wonder if that's the best policy.
"Of course we're going to take more steps and additional measures to improve the security and reduce the risk for those customers who have their mail there," said postal inspector Dave Schroader .
Others are worried about what might happen if they walked in on a burglary in progress.
"If I were to walk in on someone while they were breaking into somebody's mail, I would be concerned that maybe they would turn their aggression towards me," said Julie Corgiat.
Officials say the greater concern is the possibility of identity theft.
"When I retrieved my mail I had some fraudulent credit cards in my name," customer Christine Minge said.
Minge had to cancel all her credit cards and now has to get clearance on the phone every time she uses her new cards at a register.
"A big pain, definitely," She said. "A very big inconvenience."
Investigators aren't sure if the same people are responsible for both burglaries, but Schroader is confident he'll nab the thieves.
"We're very good at identifying and capturing them," he said.
The Postal Inspection Service asks anyone with information about the burglaries to call their tip line at (877) 876-2455. You may be entitled to a reward.
we need homeland security here.
@SwampThing We ARE homeland security here. The other one is trying to cripple our ability to protect ourselves from this sort of thing.
@Takamine  A fire arm can not be carried into a post office, concealed or not it is a federal crime. We can't act as homeland security unarmed.  You know cause the post office is a safe place and everyone obeys the law and their would never be a reason to protect yourself(See above article for proof</sarcasm>).
Both I and my daughter have had cars stolen with in two weeks of each other in Arlington. There is some sort of criminal element that has camped out there big time. The police station is just a block or so away from this post office and did they not have a camera? If you live there arm your self because the police won't be coming.
@Grumpa Note is is a federal crime to carry a firearm inside a post office. Please though carry everywhere else that is legal.  You are the only one responsible for your safety.
@Grumpa The only thing that camera's get you is pictures of punks wearing hoodies. Unless you have someone monitoring them 24/7 and law enforcement nearby that will respond then video surveillance is useless.