POST FALLS - A Post Falls resident stumbled upon a pile of discarded mail from 14 different area addresses on Sunday.

Michael Kohoutek was walking on Crystal Bay Road when he noticed a large amount of what, according to a Kootenai County Sheriff's Office report, he initially believed to be trash on the ground. When he began to pick up the trash he realized that it was mail.

"Kohoutek advised he did not see anything that would lead to a suspect and had not seen anything suspicious in the area," the report states.

Victims of the mail theft were contacted by the sheriff's office, one telling deputies that they received mail on the afternoon of Nov. 30.

Once the mail is documented and processed by investigators it will be returned to its respective owners.

Lt. Stu Miller told The Press Wednesday that at this point, the number of pieces of mail recovered is unknown but "significant" and instances of mail theft "generally" spike during the holidays.

"We mostly see package thefts from front porches though," Miller said.

Miller added that motives for mail theft are often attempts at identity theft, and with the holidays fast approaching, thieves looking for gifts or cards with cash in them. He also offered the following advice for residents to protect themselves:

* Use a P.O. Box or lockable mail box

* Make sure to get the mail as soon as possible after it is dropped off

* Set up a neighborhood watch program

* Take notice of suspicious vehicles in the area.