Thursday, October 1, 2009

Alert Margate Carrier Prevents Home Invasion

Margate customers Bruce and Juli Van Der Meulen adopted a personal policy of ensuring that individuals who go above and beyond get the recognition they deserve. Recently, they wrote a letter to James Lafaman, Margate Manager, Customer Services, to commend Letter Carrier Christine LaFleur for her role in preventing a home invasion.

Here’s how the story unfolded …

Mr. Van Der Meulen was in the kitchen when LaFleur rang the doorbell.

“I think some guys are breaking into your neighbor’s house,” LaFleur said. “Call the police.”

Van Der Meulen grabbed his portable phone and walked outside with LaFleur to peek around the corner. Two individuals with backpacks quickly realized that they were being watched and fled the scene on foot. LaFleur remained with her postal vehicle to safeguard the mail. Van Der Meulen called the police, then grabbed his bike and followed the two guys at a distance. He phoned information to another neighbor and the police.

Margate police arrived to apprehend the two individuals and conduct an investigation. It turns out the neighbors were out of town visiting relatives and would not have realized their home had been burglarized until returning from their trip.

“Christine is our hero,” said Van Der Meulen. “She really saved the day!”

Lafaman, along with Pompano Beach Officer-In-Charge James Heneghan, presented LaFleur with a Certificate of Appreciation in front of her peers.

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