Kevin has always done what he’s supposed to do to protect his home – and his mail.
The Burnaby resident (the NOW has agreed to not use his last name for safety reasons) has a locked mailbox that Canada Post can slip envelopes into through a slot. He has a motion-activated camera that films anyone who comes to his front door – sending a message right to his cellphone.
And yet, he was still a victim of mail theft on Thursday afternoon at around 2 p.m. – by a man bun-sporting dude who was having a phone conversation while he was ripping off Kevin.
The thief’s face is difficult to see in the video captured by a surveillance camera, but he is clearly seen taking mail from the mailbox. (Screenshot/submitted)
In a video sent to the NOW by Kevin, the thief can be heard talking to someone on an earpiece as he rifles through the envelopes. Although the mailbox was locked, it is small and some of the mail was sticking out – allowing the thief to yank away until the items came free.
He then turns and walks away – stumbling over the step on his way out of the front yard of Kevin’s detached house, which is located near Brantford Elementary where the school meets Sperling Avenue in South Burnaby.
“It’s kind of strange,” he told the NOW by phone on Friday. “It’s such a peaceful, family-oriented neighbourhood. You don’t expect this.”
The thief was wearing a black, sleeveless t-shirt that showed off extensive tattoos, and black, loose-fitting pants. He also was wearing a large silver watch. His head is shaved except for the man bun.
Kevin got on his bicycle after the theft and went for a ride around his neighbourhood looking for the stolen mail. Nearby, he found an open and empty Amazon box – with an address several blocks away.
“That probably got stolen by the same guy,” he said, adding that a report has been filed with Burnaby RCMP. He is hoping somebody recognizes the man’s description and reports him.
Kevin doesn’t care about any items that might have been taken – such as some cosmetics his wife had ordered.
“What I do worry about is identity theft,” he said.
