Police in West Donegal Township are encouraging residents to be cautious when mailing cash and gift cards from home this holiday season.
Within the past week, mail has been stolen from several mailboxes in the area of Westminster and Olde Forge drives, Northwest Regional police Chief Sam Gatchell said Monday.
Police believe the thefts occurred when residents placed outgoing mail in roadside mailboxes and thieves got to the items before the mail carrier did, Gatchell said.
He said police discovered the thefts when someone found discarded mail that was not postmarked.
Considering the time of year, thieves likely are looking for holiday cards stuffed with cash and gift cards, Gatchell said.
He said police are notifying victims and are asking residents who had placed outgoing mail in boxes to verify receipt of the items.
"We certainly don't want to see anyone get a delinquent notice on a bill or find out too late that a gift wasn't received," Gatchell said.
In light of the incidents, police are urging residents to consider dropping off mail at the post office.