PLANTATION, Fla. – A pair of thieves were caught on camera stealing an entire neighborhood’s mail in the blink of an eye.
It happened in the Quatraine Two subdivision in Plantation at around 2 a.m. on Monday.
The theft comes at a time of year when many are waiting on their tax documents to arrive.
Andy Rubenstein is one of the dozens of residents who found their mailbox empty this week.
“The entire box was wiped out,” he said.
Making matters worse for the Plantation residents, they say the United States Postal Service has yet to change the same locks the crooks apparently had a master key for.
In an email obtained by Local 10 News sent by the Plantation police chief to city officials, the chief said the U.S. Post Office is aware of their stolen mail issue, adding that the post office claims it cannot replace the locks as this key is used for a large amount of lock boxes throughout the region.
“Putting mail back into this, knowing that the key has been compromised, is just inviting the criminals to come back,” said Rubenstein. “They’re going to continue coming, they’ll probably hit another one tonight.”
On Thursday, however, a spokesperson from USPS said they will now change the locks on the cluster of mailboxes targeted.
“The U.S. Postal Service always strives to provide the outstanding service our customers expect and deserve. We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been experienced by customers living in the Quatrain Two subdivision in Plantation, FL. The security and sanctity of the mail is of paramount importance to the U.S. Postal Service. This includes ensuring mail receptacles are secured, and in good condition. Postal officials are pleased to report that the week of February 5, new, high-security locks will be installed at these cluster boxes. In the interim, we ask that our customers pick up their mail and packages at the Plantation Post Office at 7580 NW 5 Street, Plantation, FL 33317. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Post Office is closed on Sunday. Local postal management will notify customers when delivery to their cluster boxes will resume. Customers are reminded that they can reach us in a variety of ways, including by contacting their local Post Office, calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777), or visiting us on our website at www.usps.com/help for assistance.”
Debra Jean Fetterly, USPS Spokesperson, South Florida
This appears to be the latest in a growing list of cases Local 10 News has been tracking for months.
Just last week, thieves didn’t even use a key for their heist, prying open the back of a community mailbox at Regatta Pointe in Miami Lakes.
Last month, a brazen trio was recorded using a master key to open hundreds of mailboxes and filling as many bags as they could with people’s letters and packages from a community near Ronald Reagan Senior High School in Doral.
No arrests have been made in either case.