A postman in Schuylkill County has been charged after he allegedly made up a story about the window of his mail vehicle being smashed by children.
State Police say they were dispatched to Mechanicsville for the report of a criminal mischief on June 18. It was reported to police that the back window of a U.S. Postal Service vehicle had been smashed out.
Police say they spoke with the postman – identified as Randy Mateo, 27, of Pottsville – who said he was in Mechanicsville delivering the mail that afternoon. While on First St., Mateo said he saw three juveniles in the area as he was delivering mail on foot.
A short time later, Mateo reported to police that he heard a commotion and when he returned to his work vehicle, the back window of it had been smashed. Mateo said he notified his supervisor and the vehicle was taken from the scene to a local repair shop.
Police say they returned to the scene and saw smashed glass on the ground near where Mateo said his window was broken. A toppled mailbox was also seen, police say.
A few days later, on June 23, police say they were contacted by Mateo’s supervisor who said he had a meeting with the letter carrier regarding the incident on the 18th. The supervisor told police that Mateo has a history of vehicle accidents and that he admitted to him that he filed a false report to police regarding the juveniles and his window.
In reality, Mateo allegedly admitted to backing into the mailbox, knocking it over and smashing the window.
Mateo has been charged with filing a false report and disorderly conduct, both third-degree misdemeanors.
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