Police: Thieves stealing mail in Costa Mesa

Dec. 14, 2011 8:11 PM PT

Authorities are looking for suspects who pried open mailboxes and stole mail from Costa Mesa residents, police said Wednesday.

The crime occurred in the 3400 block of Avenue of the Arts between noon and 4 p.m. Monday, Costa Mesa Police Department Sgt. Phil Myers said.

The estimated loss was about $300, but that may have been from the damage to the mailboxes, Myers said.

Newport Beach police recently urged residents to hide packages from plain sight to discourage potential thieves from stealing holiday packages.

—Lauren Williams