Police offer safety tips in wake of arrest in community mail box thefts

An Oshawa man has been charged following a year-long investigation into mail thefts in Richmond Hill.

A residential community mailbox was broken into and the contents were stolen in the area of Selleck Drive and Eber Street on Nov. 7, 2022. The following night, another mailbox was broken into at a plaza near Bayview and Blackmore avenues, York Regional Police said in a news release.

Investigators obtained surveillance video of the thefts and collected evidence at one of the scenes, allowing them to eventually identify a suspect.

Tibor Pongo, 21, has been charged with two counts each of theft of mail and mischief under $5,000.

With the holiday season approaching, police have provided the following tips to protect against mail theft at your door, community mailbox or building mailbox panel:

• Collect your mail daily.
• If you are planning to be away, consider suspending your mail until you return.
• Consider having any parcels or valuable packages delivered directly to the post office.
• Track your items online so you know when to expect your delivery.
• When ordering online, make sure you read the retailer’s shipping information and choose the option that works best for you.