A Chilliwack man was sentenced this week to 31 days in jail and 18 months probation for a string of mail thefts at community mailboxes from Agassiz to Mission in the summer.
David Charles McGill, 47, of Chilliwack pleaded guilty to four of the eight counts of mail theft he was charged with, as well as one count of possession of break-in instruments and one breach of undertaking.
In August, the RCMP's Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) were investigating mailbox thefts dating back to early 2015.
Information obtained during that investigation led police to McGill and his blue pickup truck that the CRU believed was involved in a string of mail thefts.
On Aug. 28 at approximately 2:30 a.m. police were informed the truck was spotted near Lougheed Highway and Ashton Road in Agassiz. Officers attended and found damaged and opened Canada Post community mailboxes.
Following a trail of eight damaged mailboxes through Agassiz and Deroche until just after 5 a.m., officers stopped McGill in the 34000 block of Brient Drive in Mission.
McGill was arrested and evidence was found in the truck linking him to the alleged mail thefts committed that morning.
McGill was released from custody, but was arrested on Sept. 23 in Chilliwack and charged with a breach of undertaking.
In Chilliwack provincial court on Oct. 20, McGill was sentenced to 31 days in jail and 18 months probation for two counts of mail theft from Agassiz, two counts from Mission, one count of possession of break-in instruments from Mission. He also received a seven-day sentence for the Chilliwack breach.
Crown issued a stay of proceedings on four counts of mail theft, one count of possession of a controlled substance and one breach.
“Mail thieves do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries when committing their crimes," RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Rail said in August. "A collaborated effort of all police agencies of the region is an essential component to the reduction of criminal activity in our community.”