LOS ANGELES – Police in the Palos Verdes Estates have arrested two people who they say were “fishing” for checks in U.S. Postal Service drop boxes.
The pair was arrested late Saturday night on Via Tejon where, according to police, an officer saw a car illegally parked in front of a mail drop box and questioned the suspects.
“The occupants were in possession of adhesive material and rattraps, which are often used by mail theft suspects to steal checks from drop boxes,” the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department said in a social media post.
Authorities arrested two people and seized equipment and stolen checks related to a mailbox “fishing” operation on Feb. 24, 2024. (PVEPD) 
Authorities arrested two people and seized equipment and stolen checks related to a mailbox “fishing” operation on Feb. 24, 2024. (PVEPD) 
Authorities arrested two people and seized equipment and stolen checks related to a mailbox “fishing” operation on Feb. 24, 2024. (PVEPD) 
Authorities arrested two people and seized equipment and stolen checks related to a mailbox “fishing” operation on Feb. 24, 2024. (PVEPD)
This type of mail theft is commonly referred to as “fishing” and involves criminals dropping a strap, strings, and other makeshift devices down the mailbox chute to retrieve envelopes and packages.
The suspects were found to be in possession of stolen checks and admitted to stealing them from mailboxes, police said.
Both were arrested and booked into the local jail.