The Tinley Park Police Department identified a postal employee as a suspect Monday for a series of mail thefts, according to a village statement.
Tinley Park officials said Monday numerous residents have reported to the Village Board and Police Department in the past few months that their mail was altered and checks were fraudulently cashed at the Tinley Park post office, 7230 W. 171st St.
Residents told police the payee names were changed, and in some cases the check amounts were also modified.
Police investigated the reports with U.S. Postal Service investigators. Officers identified a postal service employee, who they said provided a detailed statement related to the thefts, though the employee had not been formally charged.
This investigation is ongoing, and police said any additional information will be made public following court proceedings.
Tinley Park officials also asked any residents who believe they are a victim of a postal related crime to contact the Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General for assistance at www.uspsoig.gov.
A series of mail thefts were also reported in Thornton in 2022. A Thornton resident reported in 2022 that he mailed off two checks for less than $50, and they were altered and cashed for more than $16,000.
awright@chicagotribune.com
