Several residents of a Pittsburg community are up in arms after the United States Postal Service is requesting they pay for what vandals have done to the neighborhood's mailbox.
Earlier this year, vandals targeted a mailbox in the city's Oak Hill Capistrano neighborhood.
"They can basically put the crow bar in it and pop the lock up," resident Alex Dongallo said of the neighborhood mailbox.
Dongallo captured the theft on his home surveillance camera. He was shocked to find out that he and his neighbors are responsible for repairing the mailboxes.
"I was told the we own the mailboxes and because we own the mailboxes us neighbors have to fix the mailbox," Dongallo said.
Problem is, postal service rules prohibit Dongallo from fixing the mailbox. Dongallo also said he feels he would be committing a federal crime if he repaired the mailbox.
Pittsburg Police Chief Brian Addington said mail theft in the area has increased over the past year.
Local
"We've teamed up with the postal inspectors," Addington said. "We've come up with some great strategies that will lead us to individuals."
Addington was unable to get into further details on the investigation.
"The most important message we can give to citizens is if you see suspicious activity please call us immediately," Addington said.
The result all amounts to frustration for Dongallo because he feels like he is being victimized twice.
"They're leaving it up to us neighbors to get together," he said. "I think they want us to get a new box."
Calls to the USPS seeking comment on this story were not returned Tuesday.
