If it’s something of such value, why put it on a mailbox?
Pride and sentiment
It was WELDED to the mailbox. The thief had to pry-apart the mailbox, destroy it, to get the tailhook. And it was in a semi-secured area (gated-community) on a lake (pricy area), as well. Tailhooks weigh a heck of a lot, those things are darned solid and it took some muscle to pick it up and carry it away. If you have seen one of those tailhooks you would understand it is not something a reasonable person would expect to stolen. It is thought the thief lives in the community.
Thievery, burglary, other such property crimes in that area (semi-rural) are unheard of.
Now, how about the comment about the thief, his actions and — lack thereof — honor and character. . .
Ditto.