How to stop a mail thief. Need suggestions, video of mail thief included.

Ljayc on 12/08/2014 - 22:52
Last edited 12/08/2014 - 22:52

Hi all. I live in a unit complex in Homebush West, NSW. There have been reports of people getting their mail stolen for the last couple of months and one person had some money taken from their bank account (presumably due to stolen mail).

So on Monday, 11 August 2014 one of the low lifes decided to go through everyones mail in my unit complex. Unfortunately for me, I found a ripped open parcel belonging to me. From what I can tell it contained the 2 Tikbro USB cables I bought from eBay, which were advertised on here last week. (How brazen is he to just leave my ripped open parcel lying there letting me know that someone's gone through my mail.

Unluckily for this mail thief our unit complex has a security camera facing the mail box. However, the video is not the best quality and I can't make out his face. I've decided to upload that footage onto YouTube anyway.

Link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwW1C2RReyE
(You can see him ripping open my parcel, makes my blood boil).

Luckily it was only a couple of dollars worth of cables this time. However, what I'm afraid of is the mail thief getting his hands on our tax returns, bank statements etc. Now that's a scary proposition. I've thought of some things I can do now:

  1. Report the incident to police and give them the video.
  2. Take a screenshot of the mail thief and put in letterboxes around the neighbourhood.
  3. Get a PO Box, but the cost is $114/year.

What I want to ask OzBargainers is for suggestions on what I should do now and what I can do to prevent future mail getting stolen from the unit complex. Get creative guys, I want to punish this a***hole.

Home & Garden

Comments

      • fusion17 on 13/08/2014 - 20:30

        From what i remember, in 2011, they provided history, and not a 'live' service.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 20:06
    +7

    Don't know if it's been mentioned, but write yourself a death threat and put some white powder in the folded up letter so it gets on him when he opens it.

  • mattyman on 13/08/2014 - 20:22
    +1

    Explosive dye pack? Not sure how hard they'd be to get though …

    • smpantsonfire on 13/08/2014 - 21:10

      Think you can buy the ink online pretty easily

    • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 00:03

      Explosive pepper spray pack would be even better…

  • Azn310 on 13/08/2014 - 20:25
    +2

    OP have you heard of free parcel locker service?

    • jayc on 13/08/2014 - 21:02

      I saw someone had posted a link in the Youtube video and I was researching it just now.

      • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 21:18
        +2

        They're worth it. You get 24/7 access. Don't pay a thing. You just type in your mobile number and a password you rec'd via sms, a door pops open and a voice screams at you "YOUR LOCKER IS TO THE LEFT/RIGHT" You take your parcel, close the door and off you go.

        • mattyman on 13/08/2014 - 23:49
          +5

          Parcel lockers are awesome for packages although if you get letters addressed to them they will just forward them to your home mailbox. Happened to me the other week when I ordered some vinyl stickers online.

        • timmypete on 14/08/2014 - 10:20

          @mattyman:

          I have a PO box in the same post office, but often use the lockers because it saves a trip to the counter.

          The best thing about this redirect service is they send you an email and text (for free!) to notify you of the redirection.

          For PO box customers they charge $55-$90 per year for their Mail2Day service that emails/texts you when there is mail in the box. I occasionally address letters I'll need to action quickly to the parcel locker. My PO box in the same building is the alternate delivery address, so I get a text when the letter has arrived in the PO box, without paying for the expensive service.

        • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 23:47
          +1

          Nice trick tpen. Going to save this for later use :)

  • tokimonkey on 13/08/2014 - 21:39
    +4

    Go to the post office and buy some small satchels or cd cases. Place something in it with some blue dye covering it but don't make it too obvious. You could even just put something hard in it and load the bag with dye. Place it in your mailbox hanging out and When he opens it he will have stained hands and cloths. That stuff takes days to get off and almost impossible to get out of cloths.
    that would make him a little more noticeable and it's not illegal to do. He would more than likely live and hang out somewhere in the area. It would also help with fingerprints for the cops.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/08/2014 - 13:00

      Great idea. OP you should definitely try this.

  • cytotoxic on 13/08/2014 - 22:38

    I saw this in the news recently. Even if the box is locked and the mail inside it, the thieves can get skeleton keys that open all the boxes in the complex without having to break the locks. There was surveillance footage of them doing this but I cant find the article where I read it

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 13/08/2014 - 22:44
    +4

    Watching this vid made my blood boil.

    I don't condone violence……BUT Scum like this need a swift baseball bat to the head.

    • JediJan on 14/08/2014 - 10:03

      Prefer a kick in the rear - Less likely to receive aggravated assault charges that way.

  • striker5950 on 13/08/2014 - 22:47

    bro, buy a baseball bat, and try that thing with the mail box alarm^ when it goes off, go running to the box with the baseball bat, at that point the rat will know that you aint f#ck!ing around and he wont do it again, if he tries to fight you, basically beat the sh!t out of him, always solve your problems with violence :)

  • tremell on 13/08/2014 - 23:28
    +2

    Ok if it was me this is what I would do -

    1. buy a vile of crabs from this website
    2. Place in a 'fake letter' addressed to yourself and leave in the letterbox. Label it as something else that will make him expose it to himself
    3. Sit back, relax and wait for him to take that haha!!

    http://crabrevenge.com/

    Had a friend send one of these to a dj who he did graphic design work for that felt he couldn't be bothered paying for the work after chasing the payment off him for 6 months. Quite amusing

  • jayc on 13/08/2014 - 23:34
    +8

    Just an update guys, I will be lodging a police report and taking the video to my local police station tomorrow. From what I have read in the forums it seems like mail theft is a common occurrence in the local area. I will compile quotes from here and from Whirlpool tomorrow regarding stolen mail and hand that to the police. So if anyone has anymore stories of mail theft from the local area, then post it up and I will put it in my document.

    I believe if more people report getting their mail stolen to the police then they will be more proactive in trying to catch these thieves.

    • Azn310 on 15/08/2014 - 12:57

      Sorry to break it but I think Oz police are pretty hopeless. They are good at RBT, shooting their speed guns, chasing you in their commodore and sending traffic penalty notices.

      Me car was broken into twice at the same undercover car spot in my house. First time I reported, they managed to come half an hour later and looked around like the kids fed up with their toys; second time I didn't bother. Of course, unless damages exceed insurance excess which is never in my case. Broken windows are cheap DIY.

      • X3 on 15/08/2014 - 13:14

        Whatever anyone's opinion of the police is, if insert crime here isnt reported and on record, it will almost be like it never happened.

        This is why I say that the best course of action really, is to get irrefutable evidence like a close up and clear,identifiable pic of the turd who's been breaking into mailboxes - and take it to the police then hope for the best.

  • tremell on 13/08/2014 - 23:37
    +8

    How about getting the green tree snake off the other forum poster and let it live in your mailbox as a deterrent!

    • alittlelewd on 13/08/2014 - 23:57
      +3

      2 birds with 1 snake.

      I like it.

  • SeVeN11 on 14/08/2014 - 00:04
    +1

    no need for pin hole camera and all the other fancy stuff. Just upgrade the surveillance camera in order to take a much clearer video. get one of those HD camera would be able to get a much clearer photograph. There were several moments when the mail thief face would have been clearly visible if the camera had better resolution.

    unfortunately the complex would all have to pay for it via an increased in strata levy.

    Otherwise, I would agree with andyken, put one of those signs that says "this letter box is under 24 hours surveillance". might be worthwhile making the camera more visible too… i'm sure if that guy knew the camera was there and he had a chance of being caught he would have hit the next complex instead of yours.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 00:24
    +2

    OP, please keep us all posted on what happens! Good luck. Hopefully this guy and whoever else is doing this crap gets caught rather than merely frightened off by whatever tactics are used… otherwise they'll just move on elsewhere and the problem won't be eradicated.

  • meatgasm on 14/08/2014 - 01:30
    +6

    Inspired by googlefart:

    Download and print this:

    http://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/43717/24569/untitled_1.…

    Sprinkle talcum powder all over the sheet.

    Put some talcum powder in a small, flimsy plastic resealable bag.

    Tape to sheet. Enclose in envelope.

    Post video here :).

    • ProjectZero on 14/08/2014 - 10:01
      +1

      Why do i get the feeling we'll be seeing jayc on the news sometime soon…

      Ozbargainer found ordering anthrax powder

      Jayc: I didn't do it! It was a joke to deter mail theif!

  • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 08:32
    +1

    Put a big sign on top of the mailboxes saying "these mailboxes are under video surveillance". Should be enough to deter him if he knows the cameras are there.

  • gavt on 14/08/2014 - 08:37

    I live in the area as well, have had mail stolen multiple times.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 08:50

    Take the day off…have a little 'meeting' with him to explain the situation.

  • champsk on 14/08/2014 - 09:08
    +15

    Hi Jay C,

    I live on the same street as you. Back in May I got the guy on CCTV as well.

    Here are the photos

    https://plus.google.com/117769256784379943832/posts/41T1h4sp…

    https://plus.google.com/117769256784379943832/posts/41T1h4sp…

    • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 09:28
      +4

      Have you showed those to the police? They're pretty darn clear images. Shame about his sunglasses but he has a rather distinctive body shape and facial features that we can see - hopefully he's already on record for other unlawful activity and the cops can make a match?

    • abh_gup on 14/08/2014 - 09:29

      same shoes, same body build… quite a regular, eh!?

    • jayc on 14/08/2014 - 10:03
      +1

      Thanks for the photos champsk, I will take those with me when I make my police report. Was he going through the mailboxes on that day or was he just snooping around?

      • champsk on 14/08/2014 - 13:09

        he was going through all the mailboxes. I came out the front door and he took off towards Parramatta Rd

        • striker5950 on 14/08/2014 - 13:32

          ok that makes 2 of you, now try that thing with the bat, not the head though you might kill him, however feel free to break his legs. I have no sympathy for scum like this.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 22:22

      This is 100% different guy
      Their faces are not similar at all, this one is a bit chubby too, looks everybody goes through your mail boxes just for fun!

  • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 09:13
    +2

    Crowdsource yourself a group of about 5 young (large) men. No doubt some students would love to earn some quick cash and a bit of fun. Give them a large banner saying "Happy Mail Thief's Day!", and some streamers, party hats, party poppers and blowers. Get them to wait behind your mailbox wall for him to turn up (could pay another guy to stand hidden off on watch to alert them when the thief was there…he could also double as a second-camera man). They could jump out and scare the be-jesus out of the guy in a non-confrontational way. If that alone doesn't get rid of him, post the video - it will probably go viral and his identity would most likely come out at this point.

    You could offer a $50 bonus for anyone who gets a party hat on him. Just for kicks.

    Lot of money to outlay, but could still be done for less than the cost of a PO Box!

  • abh_gup on 14/08/2014 - 09:13
    +1

    the security camera is out of angle! neither the postie, nor the camera really doing their jobs…

    • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 09:30

      A camera set up in someone's mail box, filming through the slot, aimed up at face-height would be even better.

      • champsk on 14/08/2014 - 09:58
        +1

        your camera will just be stolen

        • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 10:30

          lol true

  • Bendo on 14/08/2014 - 09:55

    Trying to think OUTSIDE THE BOX…;-)

    If you trust the people in your block of units, then why not get one big letter box that everyone's mail goes to. Then make this REALLY hard to break in to in a secure and well lit location. Must have a key to open. Large enough opening for larger envelopes and then drops down a fair distance to the bottom. Style this box on the streetside post boxes with the flaps etc. Everyone with a key can go through the mail to get theirs or even deliver it to others in the units.

    Then collectively get a PO box. Everyone pays a little for it (or whoever wants to share) and everyone gets a key.
    So for the expensive large parcels they are at the post office… and you share the cost of this.

    • X3 on 14/08/2014 - 10:25
      +3

      Doable in theory, noooooo friggin chance in reality.

      Because common sense and "community spirit" do not, in the overwhelming majority of cases, go hand in hand when it comes to Strata properties.

    • Azn310 on 15/08/2014 - 12:59

      What is trust? Couldn't find it in my latest dictionary

      • X3 on 15/08/2014 - 13:01

        Gimme 5

  • zrach on 14/08/2014 - 10:33

    (Off topic)
    Homebush West. A friend lives there and she recently had a run in with a guy who tried to steal her bag off her. She wouldn't let go. They had a bit of a struggle where she actually fell on the floor and was yelling for help. Of course, no one came to step in and the robber finally gave up when his getaway car drove by.

  • Ughhh on 14/08/2014 - 13:18
    +5

    Put a secret treasure map in your mail box, in an envelope labelled as super confidential. The map shall lead him
    Some where dark and dangerous!!

    • Davo1111 on 14/08/2014 - 13:27

      This is actually a pretty good idea. Leave a message that says "I've buried the money as requsted", then provide a grid reference to some park. Make sure you stamp the letter as private and confidential.

      • ProjectZero on 14/08/2014 - 18:01

        Then get the bikies to wait at the location of that map… problem solved right?

  • cruise on 14/08/2014 - 13:41
    +5

    Contact A Current Affair or one of those type of programs, maybe they will setup a sting operation…would make for some funny TV

    • Azn310 on 15/08/2014 - 13:00

      and OP gets paid too? I think ACA would be dying for these footages

      • jayc on 15/08/2014 - 14:07
        +1

        Unfortunately, I don't have much respect for ACAs style of journalism so I won't be going down that road. The footage is on youtube so they can use it if they wish.

        • X3 on 15/08/2014 - 16:27

          Yep shows like these arent exactly at the height of journalistic integrity, but imagine how much awareness you cld generate!

          You cld be the reason that lil' ol' ladies beat up mail thieves with their walkers….

  • Lucky13 on 14/08/2014 - 14:08

    Leave a letter for them saying youve installed cameras and youre going to report them to the police and see if it stops, otherwise just get a PO Box

  • edfrane on 14/08/2014 - 16:10
    +1

    Package a small tracking device, and place it 1/2 way into your box.
    Then we wait …

  • hksmaso on 14/08/2014 - 17:33
    -2

    TELL THE POLICE YOU SITUATION AND TELL THEM TO ID HIM VIA FINGERPRINTS TELL THE TENEMENTS TO NOT TOUCH THEM. THEN YOU MAKE UP THINGS WHAT HE DIDNT TAKE SO SHE CAN BE IN DEEPER SHIT

    • ProjectZero on 14/08/2014 - 18:03

      I don't think fingerprints will help if the guy have not been caught before.

      Also, i don't think the police will bother with finger prints.

      Thirdly, why caps lol.

    • Davo1111 on 14/08/2014 - 19:02
      +7

      http://i.imgur.com/W3G72Pa.jpg

  • congo on 14/08/2014 - 18:57

    So many advice on calling the Police, from my experience, the police are a waste of time.
    That's my opinion.

    • Azn310 on 15/08/2014 - 13:02
      -1

      Agreed. Because it costs them too much to start an investigation. And costs even more to finish up an investigation!

  • khao on 14/08/2014 - 19:00

    take champsk's images and screenshot from your video times 0:18, 1:00 and 2:34 and get them developed/printed.

    write a note: we're watching you…

    put them in an envelope and address it to you so it looks normal, leave it slightly out of your mail box and wait.

    after he opens it, he'll want to see where the camera is that snagged the shots, he'll eventually find it and give you another front on shot.

    get a po box in the meantime and continue getting evidence for a police report.

    good luck

    • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 22:34

      Call me cynical but I doubt that any warning to the guy that he's being watched will bother or stop him at all lol. He already acts pretty boldly by ripping into mail while at the mail boxes, in clear view of the street, passers by, and I assume in full view of residents homes/balconies (ie. the one with the camera set up).

      That kinda indicates that he doesn't give a toss. Also telling him you're watching/filming him isn't really that scary - put yourself in his shoes… he's being filmed but you can't see his face properly, and you obviously haven't been able to catch or stop him from stealing the mail… so what difference does some video footage of him make? I can just imagine him scoffing, smiling and thinking "so what?"

      But if it does work in spooking him off… that probably isn't as ideal as catching him in the act. If he runs off to find another place to regularly loot, that's not solving the problem, only moving it elsewhere.

  • Davo1111 on 14/08/2014 - 22:55
    +2

    Put a rat trap in your mail box. Put in a little divider (made out of an old milk bottle) so the mail stays up higher.

  • anna10 on 15/08/2014 - 08:43
    +1

    If you can afford it, a PO box would save all this anxiety and waste of brain power. These thieves are irrepressible and will continue. Just get away from them and get on with life.

  • niknah on 15/08/2014 - 11:43
    +1

    Put up a big sign on your mail box. Saying "This mailbox is being monitored by hidden cameras". Not just use the cameras but tell them that they're being watched.

    I had this problem too with at my block of apartments, cameras helped a lot, but you've got to tell them that they're there and not just watch them in the background.

    • Azn310 on 15/08/2014 - 13:02

      Next day camera got stolen

  • X3 on 15/08/2014 - 13:03
    +2

    This might be of interest. Looked thru a hardcopy of the Innerwest Courier (then searched online so I can post it for OzB readers.)

    http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/sydney-coup…

    This part of the report is pretty funny "Police also found a mailbox master key hidden in the woman's bra."

    Friends living on the north shore also had/currently have issues with mail theft. Pondscum is pretty widespread obviously.

  • alex27 on 15/08/2014 - 15:27
    +1

    Police will do noting at all, they only deal with big case or traffic. Try mouse trap.

    • NosDan on 17/08/2014 - 20:21
      +2

      dunno why you got negged, this is very true.

  • yesiamcheap on 16/08/2014 - 21:11

    put a snake in your mailbox!!

  • NosDan on 17/08/2014 - 22:38
    +4

    also OP, you have to remember obviously this guy is a low life and possibly dangerous etc. anything you do like showing him your CCTV could well bring retribution etc. basically…. he knows where you live (more or less) so just be careful about your decisions you make as to how to deal with this scumbag

  • malkakas on 20/08/2014 - 12:03

    I don't know about NSW Police but in SA, police use collective CCTV footages (if there are any) to capture suspects.
    How do I know this, A guy who I know had an issue with a woman in a tram some time back. the woman made a complaint to the police. after 2-3 months police was waiting in front of his work place to question him.

    making a complaint may be a pain, but it will help to capture the thief one day.

  • backpaqer on 21/08/2014 - 08:11

    Leave a parcel with only a note in it that says "see you tomorrow".
    Just keep leaving small packages for him with interesting messages (non-threatening ones)…maybe he'll get pissed off with your mailbox and leave it alone. It would make fun viewing on the camera feed too :)

    • backpaqer on 21/08/2014 - 08:13

      Another cool note would be "too much police activity here, moving drop location to 123 x street"
      Make the other address either next to a cop shop…or pick someone you don't like much.

      • donga100 on 21/08/2014 - 21:00

        Another cool note would be a small satchel of cornflour with "heard of anthrax?" written on a piece of paper.

        • backpaqer on 25/08/2014 - 10:43

          You could inflate a small balloon. Glue a wire to it that runs from one end of the balloon to the other (araldite…not super glue as that might eat the rubber and burst it) and leave a fair tail on the wire. Then pack flour around the balloon and take the end of the wire and feed it through the obvious opening end of the parcel. Glue that in place. When the parcel is opened the wire should try to pull away from the balloon and burst it sending flour all over the perp. Bonus points for putting in a canned laughter gizmo in the box to taunt him.

  • grasstown on 23/08/2014 - 07:34

    Maybe sign up to Veda advantage to monitor any applications for credit that are made in your name with your identity details.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/08/2014 - 09:48
    +4

    Hey OP, can we have an update?

  • UncommonName on 25/08/2014 - 03:12
    +2

    I hate it when people don't feel the need to give update on the issue…

  • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2014 - 18:04
    +1

    Last Seen 36 min 12 sec

    Well he's not dead I guess, so that's something.

  • Twodogs on 25/08/2014 - 18:37

    1/Ok set up you camera
    2/Buy one of these Here and place in your letter box .
    3/When he starts stealing from the mail boxes call the police and say it looked like someone put an explosive in someone mail box.
    4/Keep filming the guy getting taken down and have a sly chuckle :-)

  • jayc on 26/08/2014 - 11:52
    +2

    Sorry guys, I've been extremely busy with work so haven't had time to post an update. I will write one up on the weekend, thank you to everyone for their comments and contribution to this thread.

    • donga100 on 26/08/2014 - 13:36
      +3

      Cool, interested to know how much the bikies cost.

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