HANOVER TOWNSHIP — In early 2020, Det. Dominic Kaiser began investigating reports of mail theft. Individuals were seen at various homes removing mail from residential mailboxes at several homes in Hanover Township.
The investigation led Det. Kaiser to several other jurisdictions throughout northern New Jersey. Due to the fact that the crimes involved US mail, the United States Postal Service was advised and agreed to take over the case. The United States Attorney’s Office recently issued the following press release:
NEWARK, N.J. – Two New York men were arrested today for their participation in a scheme to steal and alter checks from the mail and engage in bank fraud, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
From February 2020 to November 2020, Lynch, Clarke, and others conspired to steal checks from mailboxes in Morris, Essex, Somerset, and Passaic counties, alter the stolen checks, and deposit the altered checks into bank accounts controlled by Lynch, Clarke, and their conspirators. The investigation has identified over 294 checks with a face value of over $1.3 million that have been stolen, altered, and deposited in accounts controlled by Lynch, Clarke, and their conspirators.
The conspiracy to commit a bank fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney Honig credited special agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Rodney M. Hopkins, with the investigation leading to today’s charges.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vijay Dewan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
