MAIL STOLEN FROM VANDALIZED POSTAL SERVICE DROP BOX

An investigation has been launched after someone broke into and stole mail from a mailbox outside the post office on Commerce Road.

The USPS Express mailbox was vandalized sometime between 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 a.m. Monday, police said.

Mailboxes are considered federal property and it’s a federal crime to vandalize them, according to the United States Postal Inspection Service. Violators face up to $250,000 in fines or imprisonment for up to three years for each act of vandalism.

Penalties for stealing mail from a mailbox include fines, up to five years imprisonment, or both.

Anyone with concerns or information about what happened to the Newtown mailbox is asked to contact the Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.