A U.S. Postal Service worker was arrested today for allegedly committing a string of credit card and check thefts that affected residents of Montclair and Verona.
Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced that Parrish Brookins, 29, of East Orange was charged with one count of mail theft by a Postal Service officer or employee. Brookins appeared in Newark federal court this afternoon via videoconference and was released on a $50,000 bond.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the alleged thefts began in January 2021 with credit cards mailed to addresses on postal routes in Verona and Montclair, and continued until September, when checks, including stimulus checks that had been issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, were also being stolen. The District Attorney said in a press release that the thefts occurred on or about the same dates that Brookins was delivering mail on those routes.
Verona Police Chief Christopher Kiernan said a VPD officer worked tirelessly to help crack the case. “In a coordinated effort with the U.S. Postal Police, Detective TJ Conroy put in many hours developing leads and following through on various bits of information of these crimes, resulting in enough probable cause to bring charges forward,” Kiernan said. “I applaud him for his tenacity on this investigation and attempting to bring an end to this string of credit card thefts to numerous Verona victims.”
This may not be the last word on this case. Kiernan also said that there are more than 20 Verona victims of check thefts that remain part of an active investigation.
Hi,
Excellent reporting. Is there any way to know if what was stolen could be recovered? When the child tax credit checks began sending out I never received my check for July. From August forward every single one has arrived.
It seems like a longshot, but is it possible for me check if my July check was one of the items stolen?
Thank you.
If you are a Verona resident, talk to the Verona police. If you are in Montclair, call their PD.