After a nearly three month-long investigation, a 28-year-old Cranford man was charged with several offenses related to placing a deceased cat in a resident’s mailbox in March of 2023.

Cranford Police Detectives identified Steven Elias, 28, of Cranford New Jersey and charged him with 3^rd Degree Causing Fear of Unlawful Bodily Violence, Harassment, and Criminal Trespass for placing the deceased cat inside this mailbox on March 12^th, 2023. 

On March 13^th, 2023 at approximately 0814 hours, Cranford Police responded to a Collins Street home on the report of a deceased cat that appeared to have been placed inside a resident’s mailbox.  Surveillance footage captured a suspect walking onto the victim’s property at approximately 2200 hours on March 12^th, 2023 with an object it their hand believed to be the deceased cat.  This surveillance footage was shared via social media and tri-state area news outlets to generate investigative leads.

Elias was issued a summons pending an appearance in Union County Superior Court.