Trumbull Police Investigating Thefts From Residential Mailboxes

TRUMBULL, CT — Police are investigating numerous daytime thefts from residential mailboxes in Trumbull over the past several weeks.

In a news release, Police Lt. Brian Weir said the department is asking for the public's help identifying a vehicle in which an occupant was spotted Monday taking mail from a mailbox in town near the Monroe and Shelton town lines.

According to Weir, the small white vehicle was spotted stopping at mailboxes where the passenger reached out, opened the mailbox and stole the contents before leaving the area.

An image of the vehicle can be viewed on the department's Facebook page.

According to Weir, many of these crimes are committed by thieves who approach a mailbox by vehicle, steal its contents and drive away quickly.

"The Trumbull Police Department would like to remind the public of an increase in these types of crimes which have recently become an increasing problem in many areas of Trumbull, and are also occurring in many areas throughout the state," Weir said in a news release.

Weir said mail is being stolen from residential mailboxes and U.S. Postal Service collection boxes in various residential and business areas. Often, thieves look for residential mailboxes that have their outgoing mail flags in the upright position and steal the contents from within.

By also targeting the bigger USPS collection boxes, thieves are able to steal larger amounts of mail in a shorter amount of time, Weir said.

"Thieves will then sort through the stolen mail to recover checks and other valuables," Weir said. "When checks are stolen, thieves will alter and fraudulently cash the stolen checks. Thieves may even use information from the stolen checks to gain access into the victim's bank account."

Weir provided the following tips to help residents ensure their mail arrives safely at its destination and protect themselves from falling victim to mail theft and fraud:

Promptly pickup mail - Try not to leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time.

Deposit mail close to pick-up time - Deposit your outgoing mail into USPS mail collection boxes before the last collection or inside of your local Post Office.

Inquire about overdue mail - If you do not receive a check, credit card, or other valuable mail that you are expecting, contact the sender as soon as possible and inquire about it.

Do not send cash - Be careful about what you send. Do not risk sending cash in the mail.

Arrange for prompt pickup - If you cannot be home to receive a package, make other arrangements to obtain your items.

Request a signature confirmation - When mailing something important/valuable, consider requesting a signature in order to confirm receipt by the intended party.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Trumbull Police Department at 203-261-3665 or dial 911 for emergencies. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service can be reached at 877-876-2455.