MONTREAL -  Police in Saint-Jerome say that vandalism and theft of community mailboxes has become a scourge.

Sgt. Simon Courtemanche told Global News that hundreds of mailboxes have been tampered with in recent months.

"The peak was really during the holiday season," he said.

According to Courtemanche, investigators were able to track down  some of the alleged thieves after they purportedly made use of certain items stolen from the mailboxes.

Courtemanche, also says that a reward offered by Canada Post helped fast track the investigation, hinting that accomplices may have had an extra incentive to turn each other in.

Police did not confirm the number of arrests made in the case.

The investigation is ongoing.

Courtemanche added the problem is not unique to Saint-Jerome, and that many other police forces across the province have received similar complaints.