Easton Police Investigate Mail Stolen From Mailbox

EASTON, CT — Police are warning residents not to place outgoing mail in their mailboxes, following a theft.

On Tuesday, the Easton Police Department received a report from a resident about an unknown motorist who pulled up to her mailbox outside her Gate Ridge Road home and removed mail left there for the carrier.

Police received a second call about three minutes later from a Virginia Drive resident, reporting a man who exited his car and threw mail into a storm drain.

The Easton police who visited the scene were unable to find the vehicle, and notified area police departments.

With aid from the Easton Public Works employees, police recovered the stolen mail, which included Christmas cards, bills and a jury duty notice. An envelope from a Trumbull address was also recovered.

"I urge our residents to not leave outgoing mail in your mailbox with the flag up, as this will alert the perpetrators that there is mail in the box," Chief Richard Doyle said in a news release.

"These individuals are looking for cash and checks. The value and payee can be changed through a process called 'Check Washing.'"