Police: Mailboxes tampered with in Leyden, Colrain

The Bernardston Police Station at 25 South St.

The Bernardston Police Station at 25 South St. STAFF FILE PHOTO

By DOMENIC POLI

Staff Writer

Published: 09-13-2024 3:14 PM

Police in Leyden and Colrain say they received reports this week of tampered mailboxes.

Bernardston Police Chief James Palmeri said dozens of mailbox doors were deliberately left open along Greenfield Road in Leyden, where his department provides policing services through an inter-municipal agreement, and Colrain Police Officer Derek Worden said someone rifled through a cluster of about 15 mailboxes near the intersection of Franklin Hill and Jacksonville roads, leaving mail scattered across the roadway.

Both men said the incidents could be the result of a social media trend but their investigations are ongoing. It is a federal crime to tamper with mail that is not addressed to you.

“Honestly, we think it’s a TikTok challenge,” Palmeri said.

Palmeri said the Leyden complaint was reported by a motorist who saw the mailbox doors open along the road.

Worden said the Colrain complaint was filed Thursday morning by two residents whose mailbox is in the cluster. He said the residents recovered the mail and gave it to the rightful owners. No mailboxes were damaged.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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