There is a $10,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who burglarized the Postal Annex in Manteca’s Industrial Park over the weekend,.

Sometime between 8:15 a.m. Sunday and 5:30 a.m. Monday some 25 parcels were stolen and another 15 packages were rifled through inside the small facility, Postal Inspector Jeff Fitch said.  There was also damage to post office equipment.

Fitch stressed that no first class mail was stolen during the course of the burglary. He added the post office boxes were apparently untouched during the burglary.  Most importantly, postal inspectors are eager to talk to the Manteca residents who mailed packages on Saturday and learn of the package contents.  They reportedly have no idea what the stolen parcels contained, except for the ones that had been insured.

A postal employee who remained anonymous said attempts to break into the safe were unsuccessful, adding that it was damaged, however.

The burglary was discovered by a postal employee reporting for work at 5:30 Monday morning who in turn called Postmaster Jennifer Gowans.  She said because the post office building became a police crime scene, some 15 letter carriers were forced to sort their mail outside in the rear parking lot for about two hours.

She said she sent some of her work force over to the main Manteca post office on Maple Avenue to help with the expected overflow of customers diverted to that location.  Postal customers were notified of the office closure outside the front door and sent to the other post office site, she said.

Post office boxes remained open and the glass doors on the front lobby had a reward notice and a closed sign posted explaining there had been a burglary over the weekend.  Normally open until 5:30 patrons continued to file in before the usual closing time Monday wanting to buy stamps.

“The people were very understanding,” the postmaster said.  “We’re glad we will be open (today) because of the tax mailings.  Anything mailed on Saturday went out,” she explained.

The responsible parties will be charged with an attack on the U.S. Post Office building when they are arrested, and for the theft of the mail that can bring up to five years in federal prison plus possible fines.  Entry was made through a lower window in the front of the office section adjacent to the sidewalk and front parking lot.

The postal inspector is urging anyone who mailed a parcel to call the Manteca Post Office or stop by and ask for a supervisor.  Post office customers may also call a 24-hour hotline and talk to an investigator on duty at 1-877-876-2455 and select option 2 referencing the Manteca Post Office burglary. The local number for the Annex is 612-2947. 

“We need the help of the public to identify what was mailed and stolen,” the inspector said.

The Manteca Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward leading to the arrest and the conviction of the burglars.  To remain anonymous and collect the reward of up to $1,000 upon conviction call 823-3646.