Clifton, NJ, Letter Carrier Charged With Stealing $20,000 Worth Of Coins

epcjimi1 · October 19, 2012 1:32AM

CLIFTON - A Clifton letter carrier has been arrested and charged with stealing a package containing $20,000 worth of coins from a Hazel Street resident.

On Oct. 5, almost one year after the victim reported the coins missing to the U.S. Postal Service, letter carrier Stephen Pavlick, 57, of Nutley, was arrested and charged with third degree theft and third degree forgery, said Clifton Police Department spokesman detective Sgt. Robert Bracken.

Clifton_letter_carrier_charged_with_stealing__20_000_worth_of_coins_from_Hazel_Street_resident

The letter carrier was arrested for signing for the package, coins still not recovered.

Goldbully · October 19, 2012 1:48AM

I've been waiting for something like this to happen.
It doesn't take long for a postal carrier to figure out that PCGS is a real fancy bank.
There are no Brinx trucks bringing our coins to PCGS via the Newport Beach PO.
Nor are there Brinx trucks delivering our coins to our homes and shops from PCGS.

NotSure · October 19, 2012 2:05AM

Now, every house on Hazel St in Clifton, NJ will get hit.

Res · October 19, 2012 2:55AM

All the article states is a "return receipt", as far as how the package was mailed. I'm curious to know if this was registered or not.

derryb · October 19, 2012 3:45AM

Well, at least USPS is now on the hook for the coins.

johnny9434 · October 19, 2012 5:33AM

<< Now, every house on Hazel St in Clifton, NJ will get hit. >>

and the idiot will lose their good job over something stupid like theft

it serves ya right.

RYK · October 19, 2012 5:42AM

Is Clifton anywhere near Far Hills?

Unknown · October 19, 2012 5:47AM

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Unknown · October 19, 2012 5:51AM

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abitofthisabitofthat · October 19, 2012 5:53AM

<< Is Clifton anywhere near Far Hills? >>

No.

morgansforever · October 19, 2012 6:43AM

The buyer now has unwanted publicity. The Universe is now aware that a collector on Hazel St.
in Clifton, NJ makes large numismatic purchases. Again, it seems everyday there is some sort of fraud, theft, etc.
connected with the coin hobby.

coindeuce · October 19, 2012 6:44AM

I just received correspondence from an OIG agent that is handling the case against a maintenance worker who got nailed stealing collectibles from parcels at a U.S.P.S. sort facility in my hometown almost two years ago. The creep is still in the Federal Court system, and they're looking for more evidence to put the guy away for a lonnnnnng time, since he is trying to game the system by obtaining repeated postponements of a trial. Looks like the OIG's office is looking to make some strong examples of what they are willing to prosecute for regarding mail thefts.

BAJJERFAN · October 19, 2012 6:51AM

<< The buyer now has unwanted publicity. The Universe is now aware that a collector on Hazel St.
in Clifton, NJ makes large numismatic purchases. Again, it seems everyday there is some sort of fraud, theft, etc.
connected with the coin hobby. >>

AFAIK the buyer's identity was not revealed.

19Lyds · October 19, 2012 8:35PM

<< I've been waiting for something like this to happen.
It doesn't take long for a postal carrier to figure out that PCGS is a real fancy bank.
There are no Brinx trucks bringing our coins to PCGS via the Newport Beach PO.
Nor are there Brinx trucks delivering our coins to our homes and shops from PCGS. >>

PCGS isn't a coin broker. Why would you think this was a PCGS Order that got stolen?
There are many coin "brokers" in California.

19Lyds · October 19, 2012 8:36PM

<< All the article states is a "return receipt", as far as how the package was mailed. I'm curious to know if this was registered or not. >>

"...a return receipt slip had been signed by someone who accepted the delivery"

19Lyds · October 19, 2012 8:38PM

<< This is why delivery to a physical address is a bad idea when you are talking about easily fenced coins. Semi-numismatics is a bad coin category to not have sent to a post office box or ups store box facility. $20 gold, type gold of any category. Large amounts of bullion. Exotic and esoteric coins, not an attractive target for thieves. Anyone stealing rare coins is going to be hard-pressed to safely fence the coins. But we have seen a number of theft cases likely stemming from the Russian mafia out of NYC locations. I just hope the cops start connecting the dots. Oops, I forgot, terrorism is the main target for federal law enforcement, not regular crime. >>

And this could NOT have occurred within the Post Office for a PO Box? Or perhaps a Private PO Box?

The letter carrier made the theft. Letter Carrier's work within the Post Office.

derryb · October 19, 2012 10:08PM

<< All the article states is a "return receipt", as far as how the package was mailed. I'm curious to know if this was registered or not. >>

Registered is the only way to get $20K insurance from USPS, and every private insurer I know of requires registered to be used for their coverage on this amount to apply. I noticed with a recent $10K registered shipment from MCM, that they now use the USPS signature green card that gets mailed back to them with buyer's signature.

Unknown · October 19, 2012 10:16PM

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ParkieCollector · October 19, 2012 11:14PM

Could be PCGS, Teletrade, Great Collections, all operate out of the LA area.
Clifton NJ is prime Soprano's country.
Far Hills is more like West Caldwell where Tony has his mansion.
I would love for PCGS to have a satellite office somewhere in the NYC suburbs.
Hate the idea of mailing coins, it is the main thing that has held me back from membership and submissions.
Even somewhere in the east coast corridor between Boston and DC would do.
Charge $5 more per coin.
I know there is a dealer network but I fear the old switcheroo from them.
Maybe a tamperproof envelope for submissions that could be signed by the customer when he hands over his coins.

PerryHall · October 20, 2012 12:30AM

Let's hope they make an example out of him.

DeliaBug · October 20, 2012 12:55AM

<< The buyer now has unwanted publicity. The Universe is now aware that a collector on Hazel St. in Clifton, NJ makes large numismatic purchases. >>

This is a huge point. Even more so than losing a few pieces in the mail.

telephoto1 · October 20, 2012 1:08AM

<< 

<< The buyer now has unwanted publicity. The Universe is now aware that a collector on Hazel St. in Clifton, NJ makes large numismatic purchases. >>

This is a huge point. Even more so than losing a few pieces in the mail. >>

Agree. The media often stupidly prints address info in situations like this without realizing that they are basically drawing a map for future would-be thieves.

We recently had a similar situation at a local branch office here...a postal worker was intercepting packages containing various valuables (including coins) and is now facing serious fed time. A couple of our customers were among the victims...

ParkieCollector · October 20, 2012 1:09AM

<< 

<< The buyer now has unwanted publicity. The Universe is now aware that a collector on Hazel St. in Clifton, NJ makes large numismatic purchases. >>

This is a huge point. Even more so than losing a few pieces in the mail. >>

I agree. This is really not a good thing. The newspaper editor should have taken this out, shown a little discretion.

p.s. Oh, noticed this is the Bergen Record. A real trash paper out of Hackensack.

mikeyg · October 20, 2012 3:55AM

If I was the victum of this theft,I would give some serious thought to moving from Hazel st. At the very least,I would consider an alternative to the usps for large purchases of coins.

mrearlygold · October 20, 2012 5:10AM

Can the arrest report be accessed online using the alleged criminals name, town etc? Would that give the exact address of the poor people's home to anyone who pays the fee assuming there isn't a free way to find these things out? ( "freedom" of information )

epcjimi1 · October 20, 2012 5:22AM

Maybe the rip was committed at the corner of Hazel and Crooks Ave?

C'mon, work with me here, I'll be here all week.

The area in question below -

mrearlygold · October 20, 2012 6:00AM

Is there any recourse available to these people or are they pretty much double screwed? Maybe triple screwed, I'm told that getting a hand gun permit in NJ is near impossible. Will the governor grand an exception in this case if the people ask for it so they can at least try to defend themselves? Appoint round the clock surveilance?

PerryHall · October 20, 2012 6:06AM

<< Is there any recourse available to these people or are they pretty much double screwed? Maybe triple screwed, I'm told that getting a hand gun permit in NJ is near impossible. Will the governor grand an exception in this case if the people ask for it so they can at least try to defend themselves? Appoint round the clock surveilance? >>

A 12ga shotgun with a short barrel is far more deadly and no permit is needed. The first thing to do is to get an alarm system and good locks on your door if you don't already have them.

ParkieCollector · October 20, 2012 6:08AM

Buying a handgun to keep at home or place of business is not too tough.
Concealed carry is very very hard.
Depends mainly on your local chief of police.
Whether you can actually use it to shoot someone in self defense is another story.
You could get tied up in criminal or civil litigation for years.
"When seconds count, a cop is minutes away"

PerryHall · October 20, 2012 6:32AM

<< Whether you can actually use it to shoot someone in self defense is another story.
You could get tied up in criminal or civil litigation for years.
"When seconds count, a cop is minutes away" >>

Would you rather be tried by 12 or carried by 6?

mrearlygold · October 20, 2012 6:33AM

<< 

<< Is there any recourse available to these people or are they pretty much double screwed? Maybe triple screwed, I'm told that getting a hand gun permit in NJ is near impossible. Will the governor grand an exception in this case if the people ask for it so they can at least try to defend themselves? Appoint round the clock surveilance? >>

A 12ga shotgun with a short barrel is far more deadly and no permit is needed. The first thing to do is to get an alarm system and good locks on your door if you don't already have them. >>

And kills or potentially kills your own pets and destroys things in the house at wide angle.

Second part is right

PerryHall · October 20, 2012 6:36AM

<< 

<< 

<< Is there any recourse available to these people or are they pretty much double screwed? Maybe triple screwed, I'm told that getting a hand gun permit in NJ is near impossible. Will the governor grand an exception in this case if the people ask for it so they can at least try to defend themselves? Appoint round the clock surveilance? >>

A 12ga shotgun with a short barrel is far more deadly and no permit is needed. The first thing to do is to get an alarm system and good locks on your door if you don't already have them. >>

And kills or potentially kills your own pets and destroys things in the house at wide angle.

Second part is right >>

The pellet spread at home defense ranges is actually very small.

DeliaBug · October 20, 2012 6:55AM

It is interesting to read how this is viewed in different regions. I live in CO and there are no local police. You will wait between 5-20 minutes if you call 911. Everyone has a gun, and if someone so much as sticks their hand through your a window in your house, you are within your rights to blow their head off. That keeps robberies pretty much to zero here. I can't recall that last time I even heard of one happening. And this poor guy out in NJ appears to be a sitting duck now.

epcjimi1 · October 20, 2012 7:16AM

<< It is interesting to read how this is viewed in different regions. I live in CO and there are no local police. You will wait between 5-20 minutes if you call 911. Everyone has a gun, and if someone so much as sticks their hand through your a window in your house, you are within your rights to blow their head off. That keeps robberies pretty much to zero here. I can't recall that last time I even heard of one happening. And this poor guy out in NJ appears to be a sitting duck now. >>

Yep, lots of truth to that. Where you live impacts what the perception is.

I don't know how how this thread about a mail letter carrier signing for and stealing a delivery of coins ended up with how to protect one's self from robbery.

I also don't understand how publicizing the street the victim lives on makes him a target.

Seems to have been a target before the theft occurred. Unless it was an impulse rip. IMO.

It would be just about impossible to figure out who on Hazel St is buying what, unless you are delivering it.

if I lived on Hazel St., I'd like to know if my letter carrier was a thief.

Unknown · October 20, 2012 9:19AM

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johnny9434 · October 21, 2012 6:36AM

<< I would just advise the ripped-off citizen to get his high value mail in the future at a post office box or private mail box. It is unlikely for lightening to strike the same guy twice but why chance it plus save yourself a lot of worry.

>>

it works for me

morgansforever · October 21, 2012 9:39AM

<<A 12ga shotgun with a short barrel is far more deadly and no permit is needed. The first thing to do is to get an alarm system and good locks on your door if you don't already have them.>>

Couldn't agree with you more. This is my back up alarm system, no worries about a power outage or if the battery backup fails

Great dogs, they like their belies rubbed, play fetch and you can even talk doggie talk to them.
If you're an uninvited stranger, in the wee hours of the morn, looking to rob, may God be with you

Matrix1980 · October 23, 2012 3:53PM

Some really bad people out there!!

Clifton, NJ, Letter Carrier Charged With Stealing $20,000 Worth Of Coins

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