North Branford Postal Letter Carrier Arrested for Theft From Mail

The North Branford Police Department closed another investigation yesterday, in addition to the , 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.