The third check, from a second victim, was attempted to be cashed in the amount of $4,700.12.
”People write out checks for whatever bills they have and deposit them (in a postal box), then two or three weeks later, they’re getting calls (because the bills go unpaid),” said Sgt. Brian Carr of the Huber Heights Police Department.
It is unclear how much the checks were originally made out for, but according to Carr, the suspect allegedly washed the checks in order to remove the ink and write in a new amount.
After taking the victim’s reports, Carr said the two cases were promptly passed on to the U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office, which is investigating a slew of similar thefts in the region.
Earlier this month, a Dayton man was apprehended in connection with a Kettering post office mail theft, the latest arrest in local federal postal crimes.
Juan T. Harris, 27, was in the Kettering Jail on a felony charge of receiving stolen property after an early Sunday morning crime at the 1490 Forrer Blvd. post office, records show.
Harris is among no fewer than seven arrested for mail thefts in Kettering since May, when a series of crimes were reported involving stolen checks at postal service outdoor mailboxes in Beavercreek, Dayton, Kettering and Washington Twp., authorities said.
The May arrests came after a Dayton postal service manager told authorities a key that unlocks “all Dayton-area mailboxes” was stolen, police records show. Police have encouraged customers only to use secure mail drop locations inside post office buildings.
The postal service continues to encourage people to contact USPIS directly if they feel they have been victimized or have information to share at the 24/7 hotline 877-876-2455 or email CFOMT@uspis.gov.
Carr recommends that people also regularly monitor their bank accounts for suspicious activity.
“The recommendation is to go inside the post office if you can, and even if you go inside, still monitor your checking or banking account to make sure when that check clears, it’s to the person you wrote it out to and for the amount that you wrote it for,“ he said.
About the Author