*This story has been updated
Kevin has always done what he’s supposed to do to protect his home – and his mail.
The Burnaby resident (the NOW has agreed to not use his last name for safety reasons) has a locked mailbox that Canada Post can slip envelopes into through a slot. He has a motion-activated camera that films anyone who comes to his front door – sending a message right to his cellphone.
And yet, he was still a victim of mail theft on Thursday afternoon at around 2 p.m. – by a manbun-sporting dude who was having a phone conversation while he was ripping off Kevin.
In a video sent to the NOW by Kevin, the thief can be heard talking to someone on an earpiece as he rifles through the envelopes. Although the mailbox was locked, it is small and some of the mail was sticking out – allowing the thief to yank away until the items came free.
He then turns and walks away – stumbling over the step on his way out of the front yard of Kevin’s detached house, which is located near Brantford Elementary where the school meets Sperling Avenue in South Burnaby.
“It’s kind of strange,” he told the NOW by phone on Friday. “It’s such a peaceful, family-oriented neighbourhood. You don’t expect this.”
The thief was wearing a black, sleeveless t-shirt that showed off extensive tattoos, and black, loose-fitting pants. He also was wearing a large silver watch. His head is shaved except for the manbun.
Kevin got on his bicycle after the theft and went for a ride around his neighbourhood looking for the stolen mail. Nearby, he found an open and empty Amazon box – with an address several blocks away.
“That probably got stolen by the same guy,” he said, adding that a report has been filed with Burnaby RCMP. He is hoping somebody recognizes the man’s description and reports him.
Kevin doesn’t care about any items that might have been taken – such as some cosmetics his wife had ordered.
“What I do worry about is identity theft,” he said.
Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Daniela Panesar said in a news release that local police are “seeing a slight increase in the number of mail thefts from homes in the city. Police are asking that residents continue to be vigilant around the issue of mail theft by checking their mail on a regular basis and reporting any suspicious activity to police immediately.”
On Aug. 24, Burnaby RCMP announced that a 35-year-old Burnaby man was facing charges that included theft from mail.
Police and Canada Post recommend the following:
- · If you’re going to be out of town for a period of time, then ask for your mail to be held by Canada Post.
- · When you change your address, make sure you notify the post office and all relevant financial institutions (your bank and credit card companies).
- · If your mail fails to arrive, contact senders to ensure they have your correct mailing address.
