Sheriff Investigates Mailbox Vandalism In Bethany

HILLSBORO, OR — Washington County deputies have investigated 10 separate incidents involving damaged mailboxes over the past four days, with all but one incident occurring in the Bethany area north of Hillsboro. The one anomaly occurred in the Aloha area.

The 10 reported incidents reportedly occurred between Oct. 21 and 25. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the person or people responsible tend to target community mailboxes, which they reportedly break into before stealing residential mail.

Along with numerous photos of the damaged mailboxes, the sheriff's office has also obtained two videos depicting what appears to be the same person — a large woman — driving what deputies believe to be a Ford Edge with an unidentified passenger.

It's unclear what motive someone would have for stealing general post, but the sheriff's office noted the fact that many Oregon voters' mail-in ballots were delivered this week. Anyone who believes they did not receive a ballot as a result of mailbox tampering and/or thievery is encouraged to visit the Washington County Elections Division online or call 503-846-5800 to request a replacement.

The United States Postal Service has been made aware of the situation, sheriff's officials said.

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Anyone who witnesses suspicious behavior involving neighborhood mailboxes is asked to call non-emergency-dispatch at 503-629-0111, or 911 if a crime is in progress. Additionally, folks in the affected communities should keep an eye on credit card statements to catch fraudulent activity as quickly as possible.

Images via Washington County Sheriff's Office