ST. PAUL - While Canada Post is referring to it as an act of vandalism, St. Paul RCMP are investigating an incident which occurred earlier this month as a case of break, enter and theft at the downtown Canada Post Office in St. Paul.
Responding to an inquiry from Lakeland This Week, Canada Post Media Relations spokesperson Lis Liu confirmed “that an incident of vandalism” had occurred in St. Paul’s central post office sometime between closing on Friday, Jan. 6 and Saturday, Jan. 7.
“Our Security and Investigations team is aware of the incident and the local RCMP unit is investigating. We take these matters and the security of the mail very seriously. As these incidents are still being investigated, it would be inappropriate to comment further or provide details,” Liu stated.
However, RCMP are investigating more than a case of vandalism with multiple parcels having been taken from the post office during the break in.
“The post office did confirm with us that it was 40 parcels,” that were taken, according to Kellieka Formanek, St. Paul RCMP media relations, who spoke with Lakeland This Week on Friday.
With little forensic evidence to go on and no surveillance footage of the incident, RCMP are encouraging anyone who may have information about this crime to contact the local detachment at 780-645-8888. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Formanek said police are also interested in hearing from anyone in the area of the downtown post office who might have video surveillance for the time period in question.
Meanwhile, Liu stated that customers who would have been affected by the incident would have received a letter from Canada Post.
“Customers who believe they have not received a piece of letter mail should contact the sender. If they believe a parcel delivery is missing, they should contact Canada Post's Customer Service so that we can look into it and potentially work with the sender, who may initiate a claim with Canada Post,” Liu stated.
“They should also contact the sender to begin their claim for a refund or have the parcel sent to them again. Customers concerned about identity fraud should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.”
