FROM TPD -- The Topeka Police Department would like to inform citizens of Topeka and Shawnee County that there has been an increase in mail thefts from street mailboxes of outgoing mail items. Stolen mail can lead to financial crime and identity theft. Protect yourself by not leaving outgoing mail in unlocked mailboxes.

Try to drop all outgoing mail in mail drop boxes in business parking lots. Use thick, red roller ball ink to write checks. Promptly pick up incoming delivered mail. Shred anything with your name, address or other identifying information before discarding. Police encourage citizens to check on outgoing mail items that have been sent within the past two weeks, to make sure they have made it to the recipient.

Watch for unknown individuals in your area opening mailboxes, and immediately report any suspicious activity at the time of observation to Crime Stoppers at 234-0007 or Detectives at 368-9400.