Andra Atteberry

Staff Writer n andraa@nwanews.com

The bad news is a dozen more mailboxes here were robbed on Christmas Eve. The good news is the Bella Vista Division of the Benton County Sheriff's Office has a suspect in the robberies.

Sgt. Mark Kugler, the head of the Criminal Investigation Division, is asking people to be on the lookout for a white female with dark hair. The woman is in her 30s and drives a black Ford Ranger truck.

Few people have witnessed the robberies, but two to three people reported the description of the truck and the woman, Kugler said.

Some of the mailboxes had mail stolen after people put mail out for the carrier to pick up. Others had their mail stolen after it was delivered, Chief Deputy Jim Wozniak said.

The suspect or suspects are probably pilfering the mail in hopes of finding money sent in Christmas cards, Wozniak said.

To prevent mailbox robberies, take mail to a post office if possible. Also, do not leave outgoing mail in a mailbox overnight. A raised flag on a mailbox is an easy target. Finally, be sure to retrieve mail as soon as it is delivered.

If anyone has seen the female suspect or the truck, or sees any suspicious activity around mailboxes, call the Sheriff's Office at 855-3771.