More Than 100 Pieces Of Stolen Mail Recovered By Darien Police

DARIEN, CT — More than 100 pieces of mail stolen from 23 Darien addresses were recovered by Darien police early Tuesday morning, according to authorities. No arrests have been made, but there are four suspects in connection with the discovery, and the case remains under investigation.

The incident began just before 3 a.m. after officers were dispatched to a residence on Casement Street in Darien on a report that two individuals were seen on the property.

"While responding to the area, an officer observed a black sedan traveling east on the Post Road away from the area of Casement Street," Darien police said. "The officer began to follow the vehicle which was determined to be registered to an address in Bridgeport, CT."

The vehicle was suspicious to police in part because in recent weeks, vehicles stolen from Darien have been recovered in Bridgeport.

"The officer was also able to see that the vehicle was occupied by at least three individuals," police said. "As the vehicle entered I-95 Northbound, the officer conducted a motor vehicle stop. Four individuals were removed from the vehicle, separated, and questioned. Each of the occupants gave a varying story as to their whereabouts prior to being in Darien and intended destination. An officer on scene was able to observe from outside the vehicle numerous packages in the back seat of the vehicle addressed to residences in Darien. A more thorough search of the vehicle revealed over 100 pieces of mail which were addressed to 23 residences in Darien, several of which were incoming/outgoing checks."

In addition to stolen vehicles, Darien police also have reported other incidents of mail stolen from residences in town.

All of the stolen mail found Tuesday was taken as evidence by officers. Once each of the suspects from the vehicle was positively identified, they were released from the scene pending further investigation, according to police.

The United States Postal Inspectors Service was notified about the discovery, and they took the mail to deliver it to the intended destinations.

"This case remains open as the Darien Police and USPIS continue to investigate the suspects," police said. "As the investigation continues, it is expected that the prosecution of these thefts will be under Federal Mail Theft Statutes. As such, no further information will be released at this time."

The department also said it encourages residents "to utilize the post office when sending items of value, and to remain diligent in collecting their mail on a daily basis. If possible, avoid placing outgoing mail in your residential box and raising the flag," an indicator to thieves of the presence of mail.

"If you feel you’ve been the victim of mail theft, please contact the Darien Police Department at 203-662-5300."