Mail Theft Reported In Darien: Police

DARIEN, CT — A case of mail theft was reported in Darien late last month, according to police.

On July 26 at 7:10 p.m., a Darien police officer responded to a home on Pembroke Road on a report of mail theft.

Police said a man retrieved his delivered mail at approximately 3 p.m. from his residential mailbox, and then placed two pieces of outgoing mail containing checks into the mailbox for the next day.

The man told police that at 5 p.m., he heard his mailbox squeak open, police said in a news release. At 6 p.m., he went out to put another piece of mail in the mailbox, and noticed it was open and the mail was missing.

Police have warned residents about mail theft in the past, and they've provided several tips to safeguard against it.

Residents who need to mail a check are encouraged to regularly review their bank statements and make sure the check has been cashed in the correct amount and by the correct person or business.

Residents should:

• Use the blue U.S.P.S. boxes for outgoing letters, or go directly into U.S. Post Office.
• Remember to cancel mail delivery during vacations and out of town trips.
• Use online billing methods to take care of financial matters.
• Hand outgoing mail to your letter carrier, or mail it inside at the post office, or a secure receptacle at your place of business.
• Never send cash or coins in the mail. Use checks or money orders. Ask your bank for "secure" checks that are more difficult to alter.
• If you see any suspicious substance, such as glue or other sticky product on a mailbox or mail receptacle, please notify postal inspectors.

— This post contains previous reporting from Patch editor RJ Scofield.