Police search for mail drop box thief

COMSTOCK, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Kalamazoo County deputies are searching for the person who broke into a mail drop box.

The sheriff's department is investigating a break-in of one of those outside overnight drop boxes.

For the second time in about eight weeks, the mailbox outside the Post Office in Comstock was the target.

The sheriff's department says sometime late Friday night or early Saturday morning someone cut the padlock, removed the bin and the mail inside.

Back in late July a similar break-in happened.

The local postmaster showed up to work and found the box's lock on the ground. They aren't sure how much mail the person stole.

Stealing mail is a federal crime that could put those responsible in prison for up to five years.

The Postal Service says those break-ins are also a way for people to steal social security numbers for identity thefts.

If you have any information about the break-in, call the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department. If you believe you had mail in that drop-off box and it's now missing, call the local postmaster.