New Lenox Post Office Target Of Mailbox Break-In: Police

NEW LENOX, IL — An outdoor mailbox at the New Lenox Post Office was broken into Monday, according to the New Lenox Police Department. The break-in marks the second time in as many months that users of the outdoor mailbox may have had their mail and personal information stolen or compromised.

At approximately 3 a.m. Monday, New Lenox police responded to a call of "suspicious activity" at the post office, 300 N. Vine St., according to New Lenox Police Deputy Chief Micah Nuesse. The caller heard a loud noise and saw a vehicle driving away from the area, police said.

New Lenox police found the outdoor mailbox pried open.

Police are advising anyone who used the mailbox after 2:45 p.m. Saturday that "there is a potential for any information left in the box to be compromised," including personal information and personal checks.

New Lenox police would not comment further since the break-in falls into the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's jurisdiction, Nuesse said.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service said it is aware of the incident and would not comment further.

The New Lenox Post Office was the focus of a mail theft investigation began by the Postal Inspection Service on or about Jan. 11. In that investigation, all three outdoor mailboxes at the New Lenox Post Office were taped off, but one was eventually reopened for the public's use.

An attempted break-in of an outdoor mailbox at the Mokena Post Office Feb. 7 prompted the removal of the mailbox, though police said in that case that the mailbox was not opened.

The Postal Inspection Service advises residents of the following tips regarding suspected mail theft:

• If you do not receive a check or other valuable mail, contact the issuing party as soon as possible.
• Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to have a better idea of what mail you can expect delivered to you each day.
• Monitor your financial accounts and credit profiles for any fraudulent activity, even if you are not a victim of mail theft. Early detection is so important! In that vein, consider credit freezes with the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax).

Related:

• Outside Mailboxes At New Lenox Post Office Sealed Off
• Mail Theft Investigation Underway At New Lenox Post Office
• Mokena Post Office Mailbox Target Of Attempted Break-In: Police