Alberta RCMP are investigating a series of robberies at Canada Post offices throughout the province, with parcels being one of the main targets.
There have been at least six break-ins at Canada Post offices since Dec. 6.
Post offices in Sangudo and Wabamun were hit at around 3:15 a.m. on Dec. 6, according to Cpl. Deana Fontaine with Western Alberta District RCMP.
At around 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 8, RCMP said money and stamps were stolen from the Canada Post office in Erskine, Alta. Later that same day, RCMP said packages, parcels and letters were stolen during a robbery at the Botha, Alta., Canada Post office.
RCMP said in a media release Monday that they believe the robberies at the Erskine and Botha post offices were connected.
On Dec. 12, parcels were also stolen from a Canada Post office in Swan Hills, Fontaine said.
The most recent break-in happened some time between 9 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday at the Warburg Canada Post office. RCMP said in a media release four mailboxes were broken into and all of their contents were stolen.
Fontaine said all of the robberies occurred when the post offices were closed.
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It’s not known exactly how many parcels and packages were taken in the robberies.
“In these cases, my heart goes out to all the people out there who have lost Christmas presents in a break-in and this is going to negatively impact their holiday season,” Fontaine said.
RCMP believe the Swan Hills post office robbery is linked to a robbery at a nearby gas station the same day. At around 5 a.m. on Dec. 12, RCMP were called after an alarm went off at the Esso on Highway 33.
RCMP said surveillance video showed two men pull up to the gas station in a white, early 2000s model Dodge Ram pickup truck. The men got away with cigarettes, scratch tickets and other merchandise, RCMP said late last week.
RCMP believe the same suspects are responsible for the robberies at the gas station and the Canada Post office. Police provided the following photos of the suspects.
Canada Post declined an interview request, but said in a statement it takes the security of the mail very seriously.
“We can confirm that break and enter incidents recently occurred Sangudo, Swan Hills and Wabamun post offices,” Canada Post spokesperson Hayley Magermans said.
“We work closely with the police on such cases.”
Magermans said customers who have not received their packages should first contact the sender. She said anyone concerned about identity fraud is encouraged to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
RCMP say charges of break and enter and theft of mail could be laid if suspects are identified in any of the robberies.
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