Mail taken from postal truck parked in Celina

CELINA - The United States Postal Inspection Service and Celina police are looking into the theft of approximately 150 pieces of mail taken from a postal vehicle at about 2 p.m. Saturday.

The postal truck was parked near the intersection of West Warren Street and Godfrey Avenue. The mail carrier returned to the truck and discovered all of the remaining mail - letters and packages - was missing, according to U.S. Postal Inspector Terrence Sullivan.

The stolen mail was found behind a retaining wall near the intersection shortly after it was discovered missing. Police do not have any suspects at this time.

"We don't think a career criminal stole the mail," Sullivan said. "It appeared the person just quickly rifled through the mail looking for cash. Checks and other information were left behind that a career criminal would have taken."

Officials have no way of knowing if any mail was taken, Sullivan said.

Officer Andy Regedanz of the Celina Police Department said this was a very unique situation.

"This is the first (mail theft) I've ever heard of, and I've been here 10 years," he said. "This is not a common occurrence by any stretch of the imagination."

Residents affected by the theft live in the following areas: 500-700 blocks of Sugar Street, 1,100 block of West Bank Road, 800-900 blocks of Murlin Avenue, 500 block of Shunk Road and 1,000-1,100 blocks of Elm Street.

The stolen mail is being processed as evidence. It will be returned to customers Friday, Sullivan said.

Any resident with information regarding the theft should contact the Celina police or the Celina post office.

Theft of mail is a federal offense. The maximum sentence is five years in jail for every piece of mail stolen, Sullivan said.