West Hollywood residents on edge after mail thief caught on video at apartment building

WEST HOLLYWOOD (KABC) -- A thief was caught on camera unlocking and ransacking mail boxes at a West Hollywood apartment building, and residents say it's not the first time it has happened.

Video from last week shows a man letting himself into the building on Sweetzer Avenue and unlocking all of the mail boxes. He then empties the contents of the boxes into a black bag and grabs packages before heading back out the door.

Residents say it's the second time it's happened in the last few months. They believe that person has access to a United States Postal Service master key.

"The last one took two things out of my mailbox, which you can see on the video. I don't know what they were, but luckily my retirement check came the next day, so I know it wasn't that," said resident James Seidelman.

Building residents have reached out to USPS to get the lock and key changed and they were put on a wait list. They were told they're 20th on that list, so it could take up to 12 months to get it changed.

"They're dragging their feet and they're not taking care of their customers, which is a very sad situation," said resident James Seidelman.

Seidelman added it's frightening to know that somebody's taking checks, packages and passports from their lobby.

Marc Mulcahey says he's worried about the safety and vulnerability of his neighbors.

"There's a really old gentleman here... I would guess he's about 75. He had a $7,000 check in the mail stolen," Mulcahey added.