Thieves stealing Christmas mail in North Idaho

Idaho State Police and local authorities are investigating a string of mail thefts in three North Idaho counties.

The Coeur d’Alene Press reported the thefts have occurred this month in Bonner, Kootenai and Boundary counties.

Bonners Ferry Police Chief Vic Watson said at least 30 residents in his city have been victimized. He said it appears the thieves were taking Christmas cards, looking for money and gift cards. In some cases, they targeted envelopes that may have contained credit or debit cards.

Watson said investigators have identified suspects and are close to making arrests. The suspects could be facing at least 36 counts of grand theft in Boundary County alone. The number of victims in Kootenai and Bonner counties was unknown.