First off, please don't assume that all of these incidents regarding lost or damaged pkgs are done by 'theives'. Yes, there are some of them, and sooner or later they will be found out and fired. It may take awhile, but when these events occur, please contact the 1-800 # or go visit www.usps.com and file a complaint. At least this way someone has to respond to you specifically. Almost all mail today is processed by machine, letters, flats, parcels, etc. If something gets hung up, it can create alot of damage to other parcels in the mail stream. Often it is not as easy to determine where loose contents may have originated. I've never worked in the 'plant' but I've been on the other end and received both in parcel sacks.
By both I mean loose contents as well as packages that are not sealed.
Most of the time there is little I could do other than tape up the box and tag it with a received in damaged condition at ______ and initial it. At least if it does have insurance a claim can be filed and reimbursement paid for loss or damages.
Please know that the vast majority of postal workers are hard working and they do care. The job is certainly not near as easy as everyone thinks it is.
Oh, and if there were articles floating that I could not determine where they originated or the destination point then I forwarded them on to the dead parcel branch for our district.
Also, please accept my sincere apologies for the damage and loss sustained to your package. It is vitally important to contact your local Postmaster if at all possible so that he or she may take note of any of situations such as this on this particular route. If your carrier is breaking the law, then likely this isn't a one of a kind event. It is never a matter of IF, it is a matter of WHEN one gets caught with their hand in the cookie jar.