SILVANA — Police are investigating a burglary reported Feb. 7 at the Silvana Post Office at 1501 Pioneer Highway.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is working with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on the case, sheriff’s spokeswoman Shari Ireton said this week.
The burglary was discovered about 4:30 a.m. A 48-year-old Stanwood-area man stopped to get his mail and the post office’s back door was open, according to the police report.
“The work area was all busted up,” the man wrote in his statement.
He called 911 and waited until deputies arrived a few minutes later.
The post office was severely damaged, according to the sheriff’s office. The thief had forced open access to the mailboxes and other areas.
Some mailboxes had been rummaged through, and mail was strewn on the floor.
A four-foot steel crowbar was left behind. The cash register was moved but apparent attempts to open it were unsuccessful.
Deputies at the scene attempted to pull fingerprints from the cash drawer but none were found.
No other evidence was recovered at the scene.
That location has 357 rented post office boxes, Postal Service regional spokesman Ernie Swanson said. Postal employees have been working to notify people who may have had mail stolen, he said. Signs also were posted in the lobby to alert customers.
At least two other local post offices were burglarized in 2013, including the one in downtown Arlington and in Sultan. Two men were arrested in connection with the Arlington case.
Breaking into a post office can be prosecuted as a federal offense, officials said. The break-ins are less common than other kinds of mail theft.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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