The broken-into community mailbox at a west Lethbridge apartment building. (Photo: LPS Crime Suppression Team on Twitter)

By David Opinko

LPS arrests two as thousands of documents stolen from mailboxes

Jul 8, 2022 | 2:48 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Two people have been apprehended after allegedly breaking into mailboxes and stealing the contents inside.

On Monday, July 4, 2022, the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) investigated a theft from a community mailbox in an apartment building on the 600 block of Columbia Boulevard West.

Three days later, officers apprehended Erzsebet Catharine Pesti, 21, of Lethbridge.

She is charged with 10 counts of possession of a stolen credit card, six counts of possession of stolen mail, five counts of possession of stolen identity documents, four counts of break and enter, two counts of possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest.

Pesti was released from custody with a scheduled court appearance on August 5, 2022.

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In a separate case on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, LPS arrested a man in connection to a theft from a locked mailbox at a business on the 1200 block of 3 Avenue South. The theft took place on June 25.

Benjamin Howard Starr, 51, of Lethbridge, is charged with theft of mail and mischief under $5,000.

He was released from custody with a scheduled court appearance on August 23, 2022.

The LPS Property Crimes Unit is investigating a recent increase in mail-related thefts. Between May and July 6, 2022, officers responded to 19 thefts from community mailboxes.

“While the incidents have occurred across the city, the hardest hit subdivisions over that span were Uplands and Varsity Village,” reads a media release from LPS.

To help protect yourself from mail theft, Canada Post advises residents to collect their mail daily and use the “hold mail” service to suspend delivery if you are planning to be away from your residence.

For more information on mail security from Canada Post, including who to call if your mail has been stolen or you see a vandalized street mailbox, go to Canada Post’s support page.