MADISON – The Madison Police Department is urging citizens to be careful what they mail from their own mailboxes after a mail theft ring was busted last week.

According to MPD community relations officer Teresa Taylor-Duncan, officers received information that several subjects were attempting to cash forged checks at a local bank. “Upon making contact with the subjects, it was discovered that the group had been involved in stealing mail from a residential mailbox flagged for pickup and using it to create forged checks,” she said.

After further investigation, Officer Taylor-Duncan said investigators learned the vehicle driven by the three suspects was also stolen. All three suspects were arrested on multiple felony charges.

“The practice of removing mail from flagged mailboxes is not a new one and MPD recommends that residents who need to mail items containing personal identification information or checks drop that mail at a designated postal drop box or at the post office,” Officer Taylor-Duncan said. “Leaving the red flag up makes your residential mailbox an easy target for thieves.”