By KATH GANNAWAY
A SUB-CONTRACTOR working for an Australia Post authorised contractor has been charged with theft after police found more than 1000 items of undelivered mail in his possession.
The letters, addressed to Launching Place residents, contained cheques, VicRoads registration documents, invitations, gift cards, bank statements and other items.
Leading Senior Constable Georgie Cooper from Lilydale Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) said police, acting on information from the public, obtained a search warrant which led to the arrest.
LSC Cooper said the letters involved related to a two-month period which took in late August to October, but added that flyers, including political advertising, was among the material found.
She said at this point police were not investigating the matter in terms of identity theft.
The incident however echoes another mail delivery incident in October last year when bundles of Yarra Ranges Council election mail, again addressed to Launching Place residents, were found discarded in a rubbish bin in Gruyere.
An Australia Post spokesperson has told the Mail they have investigated any possible link and can confirm that the incidents are completely unrelated.
In relation to the current theft of mail she said Australia Post had been co-operating with police on the matter but could not comment further as it was a police matter.
“The recovered mail will soon be returned to customers,” she said.
She added if customers had any concerns about their mail they should contact Australia Post on 13 13 18.
Anyone who has not received something such as a cheque or gift card that they were expecting, should contact Lilydale CIU on 9739 2300.
The man has been bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 27 March, 2014.
