California Mail Thief Victim Leaves Package Of 500 Cockroaches

MARINA, CA -- A mail thief who stole a box from a Marina house had a creepy-crawly surprise recently. A woman who said she is the victim of a mail thief decided to leave a package of 500 cockroaches for the offender.

Speaking to KSBW, entomologist Rosalinda Vizina said she and her neighbors have been victims of a mail thief or thieves.

"Police say the thieves were likely hoping to nab a tax return or W-2 form, which isn’t uncommon this time of year," KSBW reported. "But these thieves got more than they bargained for: Vizina had ordered 500 live cockroaches."

"I feel bad for the roaches if they got smushed or tossed or something like that. For the thieves, I hope they went everywhere,” Vizina, who used the bugs for a study, told KSBW.

The U.S. Postal Service offers several tips to protect your mail, including:

• Pick up your mail promptly after delivery; don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight
• If you don't receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately
• Don’t send cash in the mail
• Hold your mail at the post office when you're out of town or on vacation
• Report all suspected mail theft to a postal inspector

For more tips, go to postalinspectors.uspis.gov.