LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Two women are in the Lincoln County jail Tuesday accused of stealing stacks of mail from dozens of homes.
Investigators said they were looking for cash and gift cards. They even stole from family members and told police they needed Christmas gifts for their children.
Dispatchers got a call about a car going from mailbox to mailbox Monday night. When a deputy responded, he said one of the women in the car said she started a job delivering newspapers and wanted to learn her route.
The deputy searched the car he found three young children and a bag full of mail.
Some $250 worth of gift cards were stolen from his mailbox.
"You think you can trust your neighbor, then you find out you are getting ripped off," Locklear said.
Thacker lives with Locklear's son in the neighborhood.
"I think it's a disgrace," Locklear said.
Investigators said Thacker had her children with her when she and Turner raided more mailboxes near Denver Monday night.
They were spotted near Tammy Cline's home.
"Usually I have bills and there were no bills," Cline said. "People (will) just take anything from anybody."
The women could spend Christmas in jail under federal charges for tampering with mail.
The U.S. Postal Service is now assisting in the investigation.
Sheriff's investigators said the mail seized will be returned to the post office and likely delivered to the correct address sometime Wednesday.
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