While mail theft is a common problem across Metro Vancouver, you don't usually see perpetrators casually opening up mailboxes with a key.
But that's exactly what happened Saturday morning at a townhouse complex in Surrey, where two suspects managed to make off with a veritable Santa's sack of stolen mail.
Fortunately, the entire thing was caught on the complex's surveillance camera.
The video shows a man in a black shirt, black pants and a black baseball cap walking up to the mailboxes and inserting a key that gives him access to dozens of residents' mail at once.
He then begins grabbing armfuls of envelopes until a woman comes in with a bag to help carry the mail away.
Residents told CTV News there have been a number of break-ins over the last year, but that this was the first time the mailboxes didn't have to be pried open with a crowbar or similar tool.
"Somehow they were able to get Canada Post keys," one victim, named Mike, said.
"Don't know how that happened and it certainly shouldn't have happened."
Frustrated residents are fighting back, uploading the surveillance video on social media in the hopes that someone will recognize the thieves and contact police.
The RCMP said it is investigating the theft, and that officers already have a pair of suspects in mind. No one has been arrested yet, however, and no charges have been laid.
Canada Post also confirmed its security team is working with Mounties on their investigation, but the agency would not comment further.
Mike said while he's hopeful someone will be held responsible for this latest theft, he doesn't expect it will be the last.
"I think the police should be able to apprehend these people, but there are always others out there," he said.
With a report from CTV Vancouver's Maria Weisgarber
