ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Tis the season for gifts and package deliveries, which also means porch pirates will be on the lookout.

Last week, Inver Grove Heights police recovered hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, after a woman stole them from nearby mailboxes. Authorities say 161 victims had their mail stolen.

The woman was arrested in connection with the mail theft after officers noticed the huge amount of mail in her car during a traffic stop.

Police said this recent incident is a good reminder to take precautions to prevent mail theft.

“This is the time of year when the increase in packages makes it a crime of opportunity,” said Sgt. Mike Ernster, public information officer with the St. Paul Police Department.

Ernster said this is a widespread problem in the Twin Cities metro.

“If they see an opportunity, they’ll take it. It doesn’t matter what part of town it’s in,” Ernster said.

Local law enforcement said the recent incident in Inver Grove Heights, where police recovered more than 500 pieces of stolen mail, is a reminder that it can happen anywhere.

“We have to look out for each other,” Ernster said. “If you see someone walking through your neighborhood going through mailboxes. If you see anything suspicious, call 911 and notify the police.”

Police said this crime of opportunity happens quickly.

“We’re seeing people targeting UPS, FedEx and Postal Service vehicles when they’re delivering packages to homes. They’re coming up right behind those trucks and stealing the package right off the step,” Ernster said.

Ernster said it’s best to plan ahead to prevent mail theft:

• Plan delivery times when you are at home
• Have it delivered to a location where someone can receive it
• Ask for it to be delivered out of sight, to a side or back door
• Set up a secure box for deliveries
• Sign up for a tracking or notification service like Informed Delivery via the Postal Service.

Also, keep this in mind if you’re sending a gift.

“Don’t send cash through the mail. Just try to find another way to do it,” Ernster said. “Just think about how it should be delivered, and give it a little thought. It could save you a lot of hassle later.”

In the Inver Grove Heights incident, authorities charged Kanesha Anderson, 34, with two counts of mail theft.