More than 40 mailboxes in Arvada and other areas of Jefferson County have been damaged or destroyed in recent weeks, according to the Arvada Police Department.
Investigators say the mailboxes were in neighborhoods just south of 88th Avenue between Simms Street and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Arvada Police Commander Aaron Jacks said that although no suspects have been identified, such vandalism is often caused by juveniles.
“We traditionally see teens committing these types of crimes, but until the suspects are located we cannot be certain,” said Jacks. “While it may seem like an insignificant crime, the time a homeowner spends in making the repairs and paying for a new mailbox quickly adds up and impacts the community as a whole.”
Susan Medina, Arvada police spokeswoman, said that the vandals have used bats and “sheer leg power” – kicking – to damage the boxes. Shoe prints have been found on some of the damaged mailboxes, she said.
Medina said the vandals have not used firecrackers or explosives.
The incidents have occurred in the late evening and early morning hours. The vandals have caused an estimated $3,000 worth of damage.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
