The U.S. Postal Inspector has notified some South End Tacoma residents to watch their financial accounts after mail was stolen from a postal vehicle Wednesday.
The vehicle was parked in the alley in the 5400 block of Pacific Avenue while a carrier made deliveries. She returned about 11 a.m. and found the driver’s side window smashed out, Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said.
Mail from one of the trays was missing.
The carrier didn’t see anyone around. A person who knows the carrier reported seeing a man carrying an armful of mail run away from the postal truck, Fulghum said.
The man was described as white, about 30 and bald. He wore a brown shirt and black shorts. He was last seen running west on South 54th Street, Fulghum said.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service sent a letter to customers who might have lost mail, encouraging them to keep an eye on their financial records. Mail thieves tend to try to steal someone’s identity or cash checks they find in the stolen envelopes.
“Generally, items taken are primarily checks, which are altered and cashed, or credit cards and convenience checks,” stated the letter, which was shared with The News Tribune.
Customers were encouraged to contact one of the credit-reporting agencies to get a copy of their credit report and to place a security alert on their credit file.
They also were urged to call their bank or credit union about any unauthorized transactions.
No arrests have been reported in the case.
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