LINDEN -- While state police investigate a string of mail thefts in Lycoming County, they are urging people to avoid using their roadside mailboxes to send letters. This all comes at the same time many people are sending their holiday cards and gifts in the mail.
There are only a few mailboxes and even fewer passing cars along Northway Road in the Linden area, near Williamsport. State police say this is one of the several rural roads where someone has been stealing mail.
"Kind of upset about that because Christmas is here and people are putting gift cards in their mailboxes and they were missing,” said Pamela Koch from Linden.
Pamela Koch lives close by her store, Antiques and Moore on Route 220. If it wasn't for her neighbor, Koch may have never known her mail went missing.
"Our neighbor found our mail ripped up at the end of our lane," said Koch.
According to state police, over the past week more than 100 pieces of mail including financial statements and personal letters have been recovered from addresses in Linden, Cogan Station, and Williamsport.
"I think they are looking for money and gift cards and cash you know, because why would they rip up mail that has like checks in them, said Koch.
State police say some of the missing mail ended up on Pleasant Valley Road in Cogan Station, miles away from Linden.
"I'm pretty upset about it. I think it’s ridiculous that they can get away with something like this," said Dale Coombe.
Coombe was picking up a package at the post office in Linden.
"We don't have a mailbox anymore. Everything is done right here,” said Coombe.
While state police investigate the string of mail thefts, they recommend residents in the Linden area avoid using their roadside mailboxes.
"It's so hard to catch these people anymore and there is so much of it going on,” said Coombe.
"I'll think we will drop it off at the mail at the post office," said Koch.
Again state police say people who live near Linden should try to pick up mail as soon as possible and try to avoid using their roadside mailboxes for outgoing mail while they are investigating.