Dead Cat In Mailbox Leads To Charges Against Cranford Man

CRANFORD, NJ — A Cranford man is facing multiple charges after police say he placed a dead cat in a resident's mailbox in March, police announced on Monday, June 5.

After a nearly three-month-long investigation, Cranford Police Detectives identified Steven Elias, 28, of Cranford, and charged him with third-degree causing far of unlawful bodily violence, harassment, and criminal trespass for placing the dead cat inside this mailbox on March 12.

On March 13 at around 8:14 a.m., Cranford Police went to a Collins Street home on the report of a dead cat that was placed inside a resident’s mailbox.

Surveillance footage captured someone walking onto the victim’s property at around 11 p.m. on March 12 with an object in their hand believed to be the dead cat, said police.

This surveillance footage was shared by police to get leads. You can view surveillance footage of the incident here.

Elias was issued a summons pending an appearance in Union County Superior Court.

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