Mailboxes at West EP apartment complex vandalized, mail stolen

Management at The Legends Apartment Complex in West El Paso informed its tenants the community mailboxes had been vandalized, and personal mail was stolen.

Thursday, an alert was sent to residents stating, that over the weekend, and again Wednesday night, many apartment complexes and individual residences had been vandalized. According to the alert, the incidents have happened on both the Westside and Eastside.

In a message sent out to residents, The Legends Community Director Sonja Nieves said, “last night, four properties on Mesa Hills were hit badly.”

ABC-7 reached out to the Legends to learn more about he mail theft. Nieves told ABC-7 that not only were mailboxes being vandalized, but the mailbox locks were ‘being picked’ and mail was stolen from the mailbox.

Nieves said Wednesday night, among others, The Tuscany and The Retreat apartment complexes were hit. Nieves also sent a warning to residents saying, “Until they catch this person or persons, please try and get to your mail before 8:00 p.m.”

Nieves told ABC-7 the courtesy officer for the complex has been standing guard at the mailboxes for a few hours each night in an effort to halt the culprits from causing damage to the mailboxes or stealing any more mail.

The Legends is a gated community, but the mailboxes are located in front of the gates.

The Legends told ABC-7 it has filed a report with the El Paso Police Department.

According to the El Paso Police Department, “During the evening hours of Wednesday, August 30, 2018, unknown individuals stole mail from over 85 mailboxes on El Paso’s Westside. The Westside Regional Command Center is currently conducting an investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Inspector.”

The EPPD said they are asking people to be aware that mail is being stolen from mailboxes. They said that curbside mailboxes, neighborhood Multi-mailbox units, and apartment complex boxes have been opened, with the mail then being removed.

Here are some tips on keeping your mail safe. These tips were provided through a news release made by the EPPD.

To pick the mail delivered to their mailbox before dark.

Never leave mail in your mailbox overnight.

Call Police if you see people checking mailboxes. As always, if you see something, say something.