Mail, Packages Taken By Thieves In Valley

Who would steal candy canes off Christmas trees, packages off porches and money out of mailboxes?

It’s definitely a grinch.

And he’s slid himself down into the Spokane Valley.

Police received a flurry of stolen mail reports over the weekend, primarily from Edgecliff and West Valley neighborhoods.

In some cases, the grinch ripped open Christmas cards and other mail, looking for cash and checks. The damaged cards were left scattered on the ground.

In Val Hite’s Edgecliff neighborhood, someone rifled dozens of mailboxes Thursday night, possibly looking for mail left for the following day’s pick-up.

Hite was surprised to find her mailbox door ajar the next morning.

“I glanced down the street and there were more. All the way down, they were open,” she said.

Mail thieves have hit the 7000 block area of E. 3rd, E. 4th, and E. 8th, the 2800 block of Ella Road, the 7600 block of E. South Riverway Avenue, Thierman Road between 5th and 9th and other locations.

They’ve also been helping themselves to packages and gifts left on porches and front steps, sheriff’s department officials said. Grinches have swiped yard decorations, wreaths, even candy canes hanging on outdoor Christmas trees.

It’s an annual problem, sheriff’s officials said. Fortunately, it isn’t widespread.

Mail theft has been the biggest problem this season. At least one suspect may be driving a yellow Datsun pickup.

Anyone with information should call Crime Check at 456-2233.

, DataTimes