CORONA — Federal authorities are investigating a rash of community mailbox thefts in Riverside County.

“The whole mailbox was gone which was shocking..I’ve never heard of such a thing happening,” Liza said.

Corona has had lots of mailbox thefts – one neighborhood had 8,” according to Dean.

This quiet neighborhood of Sycamore Creek has had three mailboxes stolen.

The most recent was January 2nd.

Big cluster mail boxes – carrying for 16 homes each- and weighing over a hundred and fifty pounds – ripped out from cement ground.

The crimes were committed close to the holidays and many families are just getting back from vacation – so there are concerns about what thieves made off with.

The Sycamore Creek Community Association is advising residents to empty their mail boxes every day.