Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies are hoping to stamp out a rash of overnight mail thefts reported in rural residential neighborhoods in Sequim and east Port Angeles.

Deputies have responded to at least eight reports of opened and/or damaged rural route mailboxes, the sheriff’s office reported on Dec. 27. In some instances, locked mailboxes were pried open. Clallam deputies identified at least 40 mailboxes were accessed.

Residents in several neighborhoods — including Old Blyn Highway, East Sequim Bay Road, Heron Hill Road, Raintree Road, Palo Alto Road, Cascade View Drive, Michaels Lane and Deer Park Road — have reported problems, the sheriff’s office noted last week.

“In many cases, deputies found mail still inside the mailboxes, indicating the thieves were being selective in what mail they were looking for,” the sheriff’s office noted in a press release. “Cash, small gifts and gift cards are popular items for the thieves during the holiday season.”

The United States Postal Inspection Service offers advice on protecting mail at postalinspectors.uspis.gov.

Sheriff Bill Benedict reminds residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office by calling 360-417-2459.