Mail Theft Reported On Hillside Avenue In Darien: Police

DARIEN, CT — Two instances of mail theft were reported at neighboring residences on Hillside Avenue on Oct. 1, according to Darien police.

On that date at 1:30 p.m., a resident reported to police that when he returned home, he saw some of his mail on the ground, police said. The man noted that he mailed several checks in his outgoing mailbox and they had been stolen.

About 10 minutes later, a Darien police officer met with the neighbor next door who said he was aware of the reported mail theft. The man said that he, too, discovered an outgoing check in his mailbox was stolen.

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.