With Black Friday and Cyber Monday kicking off a very busy holiday shopping season, many people are waiting for their purchases to come in the mail.

But recent spikes in mail theft have prompted one Northwest Bakersfield neighborhood to band together in hopes of stopping the recent thefts.

One mailbox has been broken into twice in the last week, with residents waking up to find the mailbox doors wide open and the mailbox completely cleared out.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Services say mail theft carries up to a five year prison sentence and possessing a counterfeit mail key could be up to 10 years in prison.

If your mailbox has been broken into or mail has been stolen, you are urged to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Services office at (877) 876-2455.