Men Stole Mail From Bergen County Post Office Using Rat Traps: Cops

NORWOOD, NJ — Two men were arrested for stealing mail on Saturday after a Norwood resident spied someone taking envelopes out of a mailbox at the post office, police said.

William Toro and Charlie Cordero from the Bronx, who are both in their 30s, were charged with trafficking personal identification information, burglary, and other offenses, said Norwood Police Chief Christian Federici on Saturday.

Federici credited an "alert resident" with calling police at 4:30 a.m. to say someone was taking envelopes out of the mailbox.

The witness saw the person leave and head north, Federici said.

Police arrived and found two suspects in a 2020 Mercedes Benz, the chief said.

Police found envelopes and checks inside their car, Federici said. They also found ski masks, glue traps affixed to a belt, and alrazolam, a prescription medicine.

Federici told Patch that the men had used a glue trap (for mice and rats) attached to a belt to fish out the envelopes.

A detective with the federal Postal Inspector Service responded to help with the investigation.

Besides trafficking information and burglary, both men were also charged with possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

They were taken to the Bergen County Jail to await a first appearance in court.

Other Incidents

Similar crimes occurred around Bergen County last year, including in Maywood, Fort Lee, and Glen Rock.

People who sent checks have also reported that the checks were intercepted, defaced, and cashed, police have said.

READ MORE: 'Devices Made From Rat Traps': More Mailboxes Burglarized In Bergen County

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