On March 4, reports were filed to Leander police for theft allegations of USPS mailboxes in the Crystal Falls area. Suspects used a copied master key to gain illegal access to mail, according to city documents. After suspects were arrested on March 13, authorities were able to recover the mail addressed to residents in Leander, Cedar Park, Austin and other surrounding areas.
Since the recovered mail contained “highly-sensitive personal information,” it suggests that the act could be connected to a large-scale identity theft operation, according to city documents.
Residents made a request to the post office to change the master keys, and so far the post office has said “no,” Mayor Christine DeLisle said in the meeting. After reaching out to U.S. Rep. John Carter’s office for assistance, it was recommended that the city file a complaint through the city manager’s office to the USPS Inspector General’s office.
The city council unanimously voted in favor of submitting a complaint to USPS. The council may include a resolution on the next meeting agenda expressing that the city is standing with its residents and supports having the mailboxes rekeyed.
