Mail theft reported in Cd'A

COEUR d'ALENE - Karen Hubbs found her mailbox stuffed with letters, cards, bills and advertisements on Tuesday.

There was one problem.

None of it belonged to her.

"I've got them from every address known," she said. "You name it, it was in there."

Hubbs, who lives in the Best Hills area east of 15th Street, said while envelopes containing bills were still sealed, others that held Christmas cards were ripped open.

Neighbors walking in Best Hills also told Hubbs they found random cards and envelopes on the ground.

The mail was both incoming and outgoing.

Hubbs believes someone stole mail, quickly went through it, then either tossed it on the ground or just got rid of it by stuffing it in bunches into a mailbox.

She estimated there were 30 pieces of mail in her mailbox.

"They were in a hurry, evidently, to get through," she said.

The Coeur d'Alene woman said she gave the mail to her postal carrier so it could be returned to its correct owner.

She wants to alert residents to be aware their mail could be targeted by thefts after cash in Christmas cards.

"My big concern is, people need to know about it," she said.

Guy Humphries, Coeur d'Alene postmaster, said the post office hasn't received any complaints of stolen mail this Christmas season.

It's a typical complaint for this time of year, but so far the local branch has been lucky as far as reported thefts go, he said.