WARREN (WWJ/AP) - A former postal carrier has been charged with stealing nearly 15,000 pieces of mail in Macomb County.
Federal investigators found the mail in Tiara Vann's Clinton Township home after they were tipped off by a property manager in early January.
Vann allegedly admitted to authorities that she started taking the mail while working as a city carrier assistant for the Warren post office. Officials say she had been taking mail from her delivery route since September. The missing mail was supposed to be delivered to zip code 48089, according to reports.
Vann, who resigned from her position, was charged with theft of mail by an officer or employee and was released on bond ahead of a March 13 hearing.
The U.S. Postal Service, which said Thursday that the investigation has concluded on its end, released the following statement:
“The vast majority of U.S. Postal Service personnel are dedicated, hard-working public servants dedicated to moving mail to its proper destination who would never consider engaging in any form of criminal behavior. This type of alleged behavior within the Postal Service is not tolerated and when a postal employee betrays that trust of the American people, the special agents in the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General vigorously investigate these matters as we did in this instance and work with local, state and federal prosecutors to hold accountable those employees who violate that public trust.”
USPS said the recovered mail will be delivered to recipients or returned to sender.