HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (KDVR) — Mailbox theft in some parts of the metro area has residents concerned about identity theft.

Spencer Roesch told the FOX31 Problem Solvers he’s tired of walking to his mailbox and seeing the community mailboxes open and mail strewn across the ground — the work of thieves targeting the area.

“If it looks like it might contain something good, they’re going to go for it,” he said.

Roesch said his neighbors are concerned about identity theft and fraud. They fear the thieves are seeking unemployment payment debit cards, stimulus checks and credit card offers.

“The junk mail and mail you wouldn’t want just gets left alone,” he said.

Roesch told FOX31 he heard one neighbor try to stop a theft with a gun.

“We’ve had a couple of shoot-offs, someone shooting at the guy breaking into the mailboxes,” he said. More at KDVR