UPDATE: S’thorne mailboxes still closed as postal inspectors hone in on P.O. crooks

UPDATE Aug. 29 — Delivery to mailboxes in parts of Silverthorne is still suspended today. The Silverthorne post office itself is not closing today, or any time soon, says the U.S. Postal Service.

Postal inspector Melissa Atkin calls the mailbox closures safety precautions as she investigates a recent string of break-ins. She confirms personal mail was stolen from post offices in Dillon and Silverthorne. She declined to comment on rumors that P.O. box master keys were stolen.

Atkin is confident they will catch the culprit.

“If we do make an arrest in the case, and we intend to and we plan to, we will definitely let you know,” Atkin says.

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UPDATE AUG. 28 — Mail delivery in northern Summit County is spotty today after a recent rash of post office break-ins.

Homeowners with mail boxes say they are not getting mail. Printed signs posted to mail boxes say service is suspended for a “local postal emergency.” Signs do not say when delivery will resume.

Authorities have not revealed what was stolen when crooks allegedly broke into at least four post office in Dillon, Silverthorne, Copper and Idaho Springs, but they do believe these crimes are connected.

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Crooks have broken into at least one mountain town post office in recent days, maybe as many as four.

Around 4 a.m. today an employee at the Dillon post office reported a burglary in progress. Dillon PD confirms it arrested one woman near Dillon Amphitheater and booked her on a warrant out of Aurora. Other suspects are being investigated.

Dillon Amp is a block away from the post office.

Local and Federal authorities have declined to say what was stolen from the Dillon post office, citing an active investigation. Officials do believe this alleged break-in is related to at least three other recent crimes at post offices in Silverthorne, Copper and Idaho Springs.

The U.S. Postal Service is investigating each incident, along with local police.

This was the second time in three days Dillon PD was called to the local post office. Just after midnight on Aug. 24 police responded to an alarm. Officers found no suspects or evidence of forced entry.