Cops Nab Group of Alleged Mailbox-Smashing Teens

A group of Fairfield teens suspected of smashing mailboxes with a baseball bat were arrested late Thursday after a spree of vandalism on Warner Hill Road, police said.

A resident whose neighbor's mailbox was damaged called police to report he witnessed a male juvenile smash the mailbox with a baseball bat. He gave police a description of the teen's car -- a 2004 Toyota Camry -- and an officer stopped a similar car on Unquowa Road. 

Inside the suspect vehicle were four juvenile males, a purple aluminum baseball bat, and half-drunk bottle of rum or vodka, and two half-full cans of Coors Light, department spokesperson Sgt. Sue Lussier said. 

The teens were each charged with criminal mischief and possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle by a minor. They were released to their parents.

The driver of the vehicle was further charged with driving under the influence after he reportedly failed field sobriety tests, Lussier said. Court dates for the teens were not disclosed in the report. 

Four mailboxes on Warner Hill Road were damaged Thursday night. A total of 13 mailboxes have been smashed in the area in recent weeks and are working to determine if this group of juveniles is responsible for the other incidents.