Department of Public Works employee Robert Mattera might be well-liked by some Darien commuters, but police think he's a thief. Mattera, 50, of Norwalk turned himself into the Darien Police August 12 after being told of a warrant for his arrest. He allegedly used his job overseeing parking at the Darien Train Station to slowly, but steadily, steal money from the town.
Police began investigating Mattera July 1. They were told that he allowed some commuters to park at the station by leaving $3 cash on their windshield, instead of buying a voucher. Officers saw money placed on cars each morning and in the afternoons saw the vehicles without vouchers.
Mattera told police he was "just looking to do people a favor," and claimed he always bought vouchers with the money. But Capt. Fred Komm of the Darien Police said they believe that he often kept the cash himself. "The court agreed with us and signed the arrest warrant," Komm said.
Komm added that police were unsure how much Mattera allegedly took, because they don't have solid estimates on the number of commuters that used Mattera's system or how long he had been doing this. But Komm said: "This practice had been going on for a few years at least."
Mattera was charged with second-degree larceny. He was released on a promise to appear in court August 24.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
