Caught on camera: Alleged letterbox thief steals from Surfers Paradise residents

There have been more than 16,000 theft offences recorded on the Gold Coast in the past year. It comes after residents reported having their letterboxes prised open and mail stolen. SEE THE MAP

Residents living in Gold Coast’s party precinct are getting their mail pinched by a “serial letterbox thief”, with an entire apartment complex being hit in a matter of minutes.

A resident of 116 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise, said the thief had been snatching mail from the building in recent months.

The alleged crook was caught on CCTV going through letterboxes at the complex about 4.30am Wednesday.

CCTV footage from a Surfers Paradise apartment building showing letters being looked through. Picture: Supplied

Footage shows a person wearing a white jacket holding a torch and using an instrument to prise open letterboxes.

They are then seen rifling through letters before riding off on a bicycle.

The resident, who asked not to be named, described the mail snatcher as a “serial letterbox thief”.

“There’s certainly been other buildings that have had the same problem around here. It seems to be someone doing it on a regular basis,” he said.

“It could be to do with financial or identity theft, but it’s terrible that these sort of people exist.”

Residents at Casablanca apartments have taken to social media to report they have also been targeted. It is not known if the incidents are linked.

According to Queensland Police crime data, there have been more than 16,000 theft offences recorded on the Gold Coast in the past year.

The worst suburbs for theft were Southport (1793 offences) and Surfers Paradise (1481 offences).

The theft at 116 The Esplanade has been reported to police.

A spokeswoman said police were investigating the incident.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that around 4.30am, a woman forced entry to several letterboxes, stealing mail. Investigations continue.”

Anyone with information for police should phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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