San Juan Islanders have been complaining of mail theft this month near Sutton Road, Point Caution area, Hannah Heights, near the golf course and other areas.

A statement released on Dec. 18 from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office stated: “The Sheriff’s Office has received several reports of stolen mail and packages in recent weeks. On Dec. 11, deputies recovered over 250 pieces of suspected stolen mail from a dumpster for over 50 different addresses around San Juan Island. The deputies located the suspects and arrested them for possession of stolen mail, theft in the third degree, and possession of stolen property in the second degree. Since their release from Sheriff’s Office custody, several other packages and pieces of mail have been reported stolen, and it is believed to be the same suspects. This investigation is ongoing [and] we anticipate charges being filed upon completion of the investigation.”

Sheriff Eric Peter told the Journal that his office will be contacting the owners of the stolen mail for its return and asks that islanders hold off on calling in for a few days in order to give them time to sort things out.

“The investigation is ongoing and once finished will be routed to the prosecutor’s office for charges,” Peter said.