LEEDS, Ala. (WBMA) — A shoplifting call led to the arrest of a United States Postal Service employee after the discovery of multiple stolen credit cards and identifying documents in Leeds.
The Leeds Police Department said a Calera woman, 39-year-oldAmber Michelle Beard, was arrested in connection to the incident.
Beard was charged with ‘Trafficking in Stolen Identities’, five counts of ‘Illegal Possession of a Credit/Debit Card’, and ‘Theft of Property 4th Degree.’
Police said stolen merchandise from the business was found in a purse officers believed belonged to Beard.
Police said a multitude of credit/debit cards and other identifying documents belonging to other individuals were also discovered. Police said officers also located items believed to be U.S. mail not addressed to Beard.
Police said Beard abruptly told officers she was employed by the United States Postal Service.
More stolen merchandise was located inside of what police said was Beard’s vehicle.
Officers also found more U.S. mail addressed to various individuals in the Birmingham area, including credit/debit cards, checks, gift cards, and Alabama driver’s licenses.
The police department said it believes while Beard acted in her official capacity employed by the United States Postal Service, she opened U.S. mail not addressed to her, removed items from the mail packaging, such as checks, debit/cards, and gift cards, and fraudulently used them.
She is incarcerated in the Jefferson County Jail with a total bond of $80,500.