Post office yanks burgled Oakland mailbox

The U.S. Postal Service is removing a collection box from outside an East Oakland post office, saying it has consistently been the target of vandals and mail thieves.

The mailbox across the street from the Marcus Foster Station at 9201 International Blvd. was burglarized for the fourth time since January last week, according to the Postal Service.

The drive-up dropoff box is getting broken into faster than it can be replaced, according to the postal service. The thieves have drilled out the locks, pried open the door and removed the bolts.

Postal service officials said replacing the mailbox has become a safety issue for postal employees, so they are permanently removing the mailbox.