Mail stolen, mailboxes smashed by NJ vandals

TABERNACLE TWP., N.J. - October 26, 2011

In several of the cases, the mail has been stolen.

On Wednesday, police relased surveillance images that, they hope, will lead to arrests.

One piece of video shows an SUV pull up to a mailbox on Summit Drive in Tabernacle Township on October 16th. A young man reaches out and takes the mail inside, even letting a few pieces fall to the ground.

It's not the only incident so far, police say, just the only one caught on video.

"They've been going through people's mailboxes, vandalizing mailboxes, specifically taking mail out of the boxes, throwing them on the ground. They've also been taking checks out of the boxes, they've also been stealing checks," said Sgt. Jeff Herbert of the NJ State Police.

Police also released a photo showing four young men and a young woman walking down Summit Drive in the early morning hours. At this point, investigators don't know if the young people in the image are involved in the crimes, but police would like to talk to them.

The vandals have struck in Shamong, Tabernacle and Southampton townships, always overnight. Sometimes there is just damage to the mailboxes, outdoor lights or furniture.

Stealing the mail is a federal offense, so someone could be facing very serious charges.

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