A reader alerted us to the theft of the master key for all cluster mailboxes in the 97229 zip code. Apparently, a carrier was held up and the key was stolen in early December. Mailboxes were found opened and mail was taken beginning around December 9. There was no damage to the boxes so the assumption is that they were opened with a key. Some readers reported seeing a white Subaru on their security camera recordings. Neighbors from several Cedar Mill and Bethany neighborhoods reported their boxes had been opened, in posts on the Cedar Mill News page on Facebook.

On December 23, Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) announced they had apprehended the thieves. On December 19, a United States Postal Service (USPS) carrier reported observing two individuals stealing mail and packages along their delivery route near the 13300 block of NW Dellatorre St. The suspects were seen driving a white Subaru Crosstrek that matched the descriptions neighbors had reported. 

Responding deputies located and stopped the Crosstrek. During the stop, deputies found a significant amount of mail and large parcels in the vehicle, none of which belonged to the occupants. 

The USPS’s Postal Inspector has been notified and is taking possession of the stolen mail to further the investigation. The seized mail is currently being processed to identify and notify the victims. It’s unclear from the WCSO report whether the key was original or a copy.

The occupants of the vehicle, identified as 24-year-old Brandon Rummerfield of Portland and 31-year-old Michael Fischer of Battle Ground, were taken into custody and have been booked into the Washington County Jail on several charges. The investigation is ongoing, and many victims have not yet been notified. Additional charges may be forthcoming.

From our reader: “I had the chance to talk to our USPS postal delivery worker as she was out delivering mail and encountering the problem. She said that it has become a big problem in the area where postal workers are being attacked for their master keys, also known as “arrow keys.” She also said that arrow keys are not just capable of opening large cluster boxes within a zip code, they are also capable of opening the big blue boxes in the same zip code. 

‘She requested that I share that information with anyone that might impact. Since no damage was done to the boxes, postal workers are still mandated to deliver the mail. I looked into the problem online briefly and saw that this has been a problem over many years in other big cities. 

“The word from our HOA is that the USPS will eventually rekey the boxes, but if they have to rekey an entire zip code that could take quite a long time. 

“Our postal worker’s recommendations were to pick up mail as soon as possible if you have any incoming mail. Do not leave anything overnight. Drop off mail at a brick & mortar USPS drop-off whenever possible.”

WCSO Deputy David Huey notes, “I connected with our property crimes detectives and was told that USPS is the primary investigator for these crimes. Our team will support their efforts and respond to any calls about suspicious or criminal behaviors. If your network sees suspicious activity or something feels off, please encourage them to call non-emergency dispatch (503-629-0111) or 911 when appropriate (if the crime is in progress, for example).” 

Everyone should sign up for “Informed Delivery” on the USPS website: usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm . You’ll get photos of at least some of your mail in the morning, and a notification when your mail has been delivered. USPS also has a “Mail Theft” page with advice and procedures for reporting suspected theft.