LOS GATOS — Two San Jose residents have been arrested in connection with the theft of mail from more than 250 addresses in the South Bay.

According to Detective Sgt. Clinton Tada of the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department, about 4:15 a.m. Jan. 23 officers noticed two men loitering in the parking lot of the Downing shopping center on Union Avenue. Police approached the men, who were later arrested.

Officers said they found the men with mail linked to addresses in Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga and San Jose. Police plan to send residents a letter by Friday that mail belonging to them has been recovered. The letter will include instructions on how to claim their mail.

Police arrested David Zumr, 27, and Timothy Reinert, 23, both of San Jose. They were booked into Santa Clara County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“We fully believe these suspects, and their criminal associates, have been stealing mail and packages from front porches more than just this single occurrence,” police Chief Scott Seaman said.

To prevent mail theft, police advised residents to promptly pick up their mail, use a locking mailbox and have mail held at the post office if they will be absent from home for an extended period of time.

Anyone with information related to the thefts may contact Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police Detective Bryan Paul at 408-827-3213.

Contact Sharon Noguchi at 408-271-3775. Follow her at Twitter.com/NoguchiOnK12.