U.S. Mail Thefts, Pedestrians Struck In Newtown Township: Chief

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — With an increase in the number of U.S. mail thefts being reported from standalone collection boxes, Newtown Township Police Chief John Hearn is recommending that residents drop their mail inside the post office.

During his monthly report to the board of supervisors, the chief said that officers attempted to stop two males over this past weekend who were fishing for mail at a collection box outside the Newtown Post Office on Terry Drive.

“The suspect car left at a high rate of speed. Due to safety reasons we did not engage or pursue,” said Hearn.

The chief noted that the outside collection boxes at the post office are extremely old and are not anti-theft proof boxes.

“I reached out to the postal inspector requesting that they enhance the security system and upgrade the box at that facility. At my request, State Sen. Steve Santarsiero did the same,” said Hearn.

“Until modifications are made I would strongly encourage people to go inside the post office to mail your mail,” said the chief.

In other police news, the chief reported that two pedestrians had been struck by vehicles in the township during the month of September.

One person sustained a severe head injury on Sept. 28 at North Drive and Honey Locust, he said. The other sustained only minor injuries after being struck Sept. 30 at Swamp and South Eagle roads.

Chief Hearn also announced that for the second year in a row, Officer Brent Helvig has been named a recipient of the Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association's "DUI Top Gun Award.”

The award recognizes municipal police officers for their efforts to get impaired drivers off Pennsylvania's roadways.

Hearn also announced that the department has secured a $250,000 Justice Assistance Grant to pay for body worn cameras for the police department.