A 39-year-old man has been arrested and is in police custody after a joint investigation between Canada Post and Nanaimo RCMP Street Crimes Unit involving thefts from community mail boxes throughout Nanaimo and surrounding areas.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, Aaron Rene Laflam has been charged with three counts of theft of mail, possession of stolen property and mischief in relation to damaging community mail boxes. He appeared before a Nanaimo provincial court judge on Monday and has been remanded into custody to await his next court appearance.
In recent months, Nanaimo RCMP has been investigating a string of thefts from community mail boxes throughout Nanaimo, including several recent thefts from mail boxes in the District of Lantzville.
To address this issue, the street crimes unit partnered with investigators from Canada Post to assist in identifying the areas targeted and to focus their combined efforts on possible suspects.
On May 26th, search warrants were granted to search a home and vehicle in the 500 block of Townsite Road in Nanaimo. Found were dozens of pieces of stolen mail from different addresses. A variety of break-in tools were also located, as well as laptops and other electronics which are believed to be stolen.
“Lantzville residents greatly appreciate this coordinated action between the RCMP Nanaimo Street Crimes Unit and Canada Post,” said Lantzville Mayor Colin Haime, in a press release. “Theft from community mail boxes and the related potential for identify theft are ongoing concerns. The quick results of this investigation put thieves on notice that such actions will not be tolerated in our community”.
The Nanaimo RCMP and Canada Post remind people to never send cash in the mail and to contact Canada Post to hold delivery if homeowners plan to be away from their house.
“This is a community issue and affects us all,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “If anyone is seen in the vicinity of these mail boxes acting suspiciously, report it immediately to the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line.”
Nanaimo RCMP can be reached at 250-754-2345.