The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple reports of mail theft in the Columbia area.
The first report came in around 9 p.m. on Monday, involving a suspicious gray Honda Accord near Slate Rim Road and Bennet Road. Witnesses saw two men tampering with mailboxes—one wearing a blue jacket and the other a black jacket. Deputies responded but were unable to locate the vehicle.
In the following days, additional incidents were reported involving broken mailboxes along Bennet Road, Highway 49, and Chili Gulch Road.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office urged residents to remain vigilant:
“We encourage anyone in the area to check their mail for any missing items. If you suspect important mail has been stolen, please report it to our non-emergency line at 209-533-5815. Additionally, we ask residents with video surveillance to review footage for possible evidence of the suspects.”
To help prevent mail theft during the holiday season, the sheriff’s office provided these tips:
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- Stay alert for overdue mail – If you’re expecting a check, credit card, or other valuable mail that doesn’t arrive, contact the sender immediately.
- Plan for deliveries – If you’re not home to receive mail or packages, arrange for a neighbor to hold them or ask the carrier to delay delivery.
- Use alternate delivery options – Ship packages to your workplace or opt for ship-to-store services when available.
- Enhance home security – Install and maintain visible security cameras and proper lighting.
- Sign up for delivery alerts – Enable notifications to track when mail or packages are delivered, and retrieve them quickly.
- Request signature confirmation – For critical mail, consider requiring a signature upon delivery.
- Invest in a secure mailbox – Locking mailboxes or PO boxes can make theft more challenging.
- Protect against fraud – If personal or financial information is stolen, freeze your credit and initiate a fraud alert promptly.
Residents with information or relevant surveillance footage are encouraged to assist the investigation by contacting local authorities.
For more local news, updates, and alerts, visit myMotherLode.com or call the news hotline at (209) 532-6397.