Ugly Mailbitch Arrested for Theft From Mail
Michael Gross
The North Branford Police Department closed another investigation
yesterday, in addition to the drug arrests, as Detective Sergeant Ken
McNamara, working in conjunction with the Office of Inspector General
(OIG) for the United States Postal Service, arrested a part-time rural
mail carrier as a part of an ongoing investigation into the theft of
cash and gift cards from North Branford residents’ mail.
After receiving several complaints regarding missing greeting cards and
sent gift cards disappearing from people’s mail in North Branford, an
investigation was initiated by the OIG.
This investigation led McNamara and special agents from OIG to conduct
surveillance of operations and mail delivery. Through surveillance and
by the tracking of specific gift cards sent through that facility, they
were able to place the items in the possession of a part-time mail
carrier–Melissa Cruz–from the North Branford Post Office.
Cruz had those cards in her personal vehicle and was leaving work when
the officers stopped her. At the time of the stop, she was also found to
be in possession of more than 27 different gift cards, all thought to
have been taken from people’s mail.
Cruz, 31, of 40 South Cherry St., Wallingford, was charged with
sixth-degree larceny and released. It is believed that she has been
taking gift cards as well as cash from greeting cards sent through the
mail for some time. The investigation is continuing and more charges may
be possible.