HARTLY, DE – Delaware State Police have arrested a Dover man accused of stealing checks from a mailbox and attempting to cash them using false identification.
Detectives said the investigation began October 20 when troopers responded to a report of mail theft from a home on the 5700 block of Halltown Road.
The victims had placed outgoing mail containing two checks in their mailbox, which were taken after a suspicious vehicle was seen in the area.
Bank officials at Shore United Bank stopped payment on the stolen checks and later alerted authorities when one was fraudulently presented the next day at the bank’s Milford branch.
Suspect identified after failed transaction
Investigators said 48-year-old Adrian Spence Jr. entered the Milford branch on October 21, where he allegedly attempted to cash one of the stolen checks that had been altered to list his own name as the payee. Staff recognized the fraud, declined the transaction, and notified the victims.
Arrest made in Dover following investigation
Through investigative efforts, detectives identified Spence Jr. as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On December 4, Dover Police encountered Spence Jr. during an unrelated matter and took him into custody.
He was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 3, where he was charged with identity theft and related offenses. Spence Jr. was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $3,500 unsecured bond pending court proceedings.
Authorities said the case remains under review as investigators continue to examine whether additional mail theft incidents are connected.
Delaware State Police arrested Adrian Spence Jr. of Dover after an investigation linked him to stolen checks and attempted identity theft in Hartly.