Police: New London letter carrier had crack, was delivering mail under the influence
New London — Police said a letter carrier here was caught with three used glass crack pipes, cocaine and a pair of brass knuckles while he was delivering the mail under the influence earlier this year.
Police arrested Christopher Clark, 39, of 32 Walden Ave. in New London, on Jan. 2 following reports that he was not only operating his postal van recklessly but was delivering mail to the wrong addresses, acting strangely, and letting various letters 'fall to the ground and blow away in the wind,' police reports show.
Police said they caught up with Clark on Elm Street, where he was delivering mail on foot, on the afternoon of Jan. 2. An officer watched Clark walk unsteadily, struggle to enter his van, make an illegal U-turn without signaling on Elm Street, and proceed to Lincoln Avenue, where he was stopped, police said. Clark exited the van and dropped mail envelopes onto the ground, and police said they noticed his pupils remained pinpoint, which can be a sign of drug use.
The officer questioned Clark about his delivery of mail to wrong addresses and reports of his reckless driving. Clark denied drinking or taking any drugs but subsequently failed a field sobriety test. During a search, police said Clark was found with a silicone container in his pocket with suspected crack cocaine, along with a pack of cigarettes that contained a glass pipe containing a burnt Chore Boy, a scouring pad commonly used as a filter in crack pipes. Clark also had a pair of black brass knuckles in his back pocket, police said.
Asked if he had anything else illegal, police said Clark admitted there were more pipes in the van. Inside the glove box of the van, police said they found two more used glass pipes. In a folded playing card in Clark's wallet, police said they found suspected powdered cocaine. Clark refused a urine test, records show.
He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possession of a dangerous weapon, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Free on a promise to appear in court, he is represented by a public defender and was to be evaluated for a substance abuse treatment program, court records show. He is due back in court April 8.
A spokeswoman with the U.S. Postal Service said Clark remains employed as a city carrier assistant.
g.smith@theday.com
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