Federal agents are investigating the alleged theft of a small amount of mail from the Jackson Square Branch of the Oak Ridge Post Office.
Federal agents are investigating the alleged theft of a small amount of mail from the Jackson Square Branch of the Oak Ridge Post Office, a spokesman said Friday.
On Thursday, special agents detained and questioned a person they believed was responsible for the theft, said Special Agent Scott Balfour, public information officer for the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General in Cleveland, Ohio.
“This individual was later released after questioning, and is suspended pending the outcome of the investigation,†Balfour said.
Oak Ridge Today observed agents searching a car at a gas station on Oak Ridge Turnpike, or state Highway 61, just inside Clinton at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The vehicles responding to the scene included a U.S. Postal Service van.
Balfour said the investigation of mail theft by a postal employee was conducted on Thursday by special agents with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
“The investigation will continue, and the results will be presented to the U.S. Attorney’s Office,†Balfour said. “As no charges or arrests have been made at this time, I cannot provide further comment. If anyone believes they have been a victim of mail theft, or to report postal employee misconduct, they can contact the USPS OIG at www.uspsoig.gov or (888) USPS-OIG.â€
Balfour said he was unable to answer additional questions, including to provide more information about the dates of the alleged thefts and the types of mail stolen, and to provide extra details on the amount of mail involved.
Note: This story was updated at 8:15 p.m.
Rebecca K. Horton says
Your comment forum has nicer rules than the actual newspaper does.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Rebecca. We try to keep the comment section as civil as possible.