WESTPORT — A New Jersey man has been charged with stealing a $25,000 check from the mail and fraudulently changing it to be paid to himself.

Anthony Sanchez, 36, of Leonia, N.J., was charged with first-degree larceny and third-degree identity theft.

Police launched an investigation last Nov. 11 after receiving a complaint that a $25,000 check, placed in the mail from a resident’s home, was apparently stolen, the name of the payment recipient was altered and then  cashed.

After the change, the name of the payment recipient was “Anthony Sanchez,” according to the report.

Using search warrants, video-surveillance footage and information shared with other law-enforcement agencies, Sanchez was identified as the person who stole and cashed the check, police said.

A warrant for Sanchez’s arrest was issued, and on May 21 he turned himself in at Police Department headquarters, where he was formally charged.

He was released after posting $150,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned June 18 at state Superior Court in Stamford.