Residents warned of 'fishing' scheme at Croton-on-Hudson mailbox outside post office
CROTON-ON-HUDSON, New York (WABC) -- The Village of Croton-on-Hudson and its police department are warning residents after two men were seen stealing letters from a mailbox outside a post office last weekend.
During the early hours of September 13, the Croton-on-Hudson Police Department was notified that two people were spotted "fishing" mail out of a blue mailbox on Maple Street.
Police say stolen checks are often washed, rewritten and cashed for large sums of money.
The suspects got away in a vehicle and police say their detective division is investigating. They say anyone who uses that mailbox should be on alert.
The mailbox is a high-security box with a thin slot that the postal service has been phasing in since 2019.
The narrow opening is meant to deter thieves from dropping down a sticky item on a string to fish out mail. However, criminals have adapted.
Last year in Rye, sticky glue mouse traps were fitted into the slots to catch the mail before dropping down.
Surveillance video showed a suspect stuffing his pockets with stolen mail and it is the reason many say they make the extra effort to deposit their letters inside the post office.
Police say anyone who used the blue mailbox located outside the post office -- especially checks on September 12 or 13 -- should monitor their accounts for fraudulent activity.
Anyone with further information on this case should contact the Detective Division at 914-271-5177.
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