KERN COUNTY, CA - Federal officials and local law enforcement released new numbers Wednesday, on the number of mail thefts in Kern County.
The U.S. Postal Service says the Central Valley is a hot spot for the crime.
Postal officials say in less than a year, ten people in the county have been arrested for mail theft. It says the problem is so bad, a statewide operation was formed.
One technique is known as fishing, where people use homemade devices that contain sticky material, such as rat glue.
Inspectors say the device is lowered into mail drop boxes or mail slots, to fish out mail. But, postal officials say their techniques are getting old.
"We've been installing anti-fishing equipment so many of the boxes now, if you put something in, nothing's coming out," said Postal Inspector Jeff Fitch.
Postal inspectors say "Operation Broken Mailbox" was created last April following numerous complaints about mail thieves.
Officials say in less than a year, postal inspectors completed their investigations, leading to federal indictments against 21 defendants in Kern, Fresno and Sacramento counties.
"We've also presented cases to the District Attorney's offices and working to identify these individuals, arrest them and refer them for prosecution," Fitch continued.
Postal officials say since Operation Broken Mailbox was formed, more than 2,100 victims have been identified and nearly $400,000 in losses has been reported.
The Bakersfield Police Department urges everyone to be cautious.
"We need to protect our credit cards and our assets and other identifying information that we have that comes through the postal service," said Chief Greg Williamson, Bakersfield Police Department.
If you're a victim of mail theft, call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-877-876-2455.