For working with postal inspectors to solve a series of break-ins at post office boxes throughout Maui, Maui County police Detective Wendell Loo has received a letter of commendation from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, The Maui News reported.

The commendation was presented Sept. 16 at a Maui County Police Commission meeting.

Loo was recognized for his work over the past two years to investigate post office box burglaries, including more than 110 break-ins at post offices in Pu'unene, Ha'iku, Kihei, Kahului, Wailuku and Pa'ia in the spring of 2008.

A bank debit card stolen in one break-in was used to make purchases, and stolen convenience checks were fraudulently passed as part of the scheme.

According to the commendation letter, seven people were identified as being responsible for the break-ins.

Loo said detectives Mark Kaaa and Clyde Holokai also worked on the investigation into the post office break-ins. "It was a team effort," Loo said.

In the commendation, Loo also was credited for helping postal inspectors identify a man responsible for vandalism and theft of gasoline from postal vehicles at the Kula Post Office last spring.