VIRGINIA — Authorities in Alleghany County, Virginia, have arrested two people accused of stealing mail and packages from residents in multiple communities across the Alleghany Highlands.
The Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office launched overnight surveillance across western parts of the county after residents began reporting missing mail. Many of the complaints included sightings of a white sedan with black rims stopping at mailboxes and taking packages during late-night and early-morning hours.
The suspects were located around 2 a.m. on December 10, when off-duty Lieutenant Doug Altizer heard a vehicle near his home and spotted a car matching the description parked at his mailbox.
Lt. Altizer followed the vehicle to the 5300 block of Indian Draft Road, where he witnessed two people rummaging through mailboxes. Deputies quickly responded and executed a felony traffic stop at the intersection of Jackson River Road and Foxaway Lane.
Authorities arrested Kathleen Marie Davis, 22, and Corey Shane Martin, 23, after they admitted to stealing mail in the Alleghany Highlands for at least two weeks. Investigators say they told deputies that “times were tough,” and they decided to take items belonging to others. A search of their vehicle led to the recovery of packages and mail addressed to residents in the Indian Draft and Johnson’s Creek areas, along with $413 in cash.
Davis and Martin are being held at the Alleghany County Regional Jail and face 18 felony counts under Virginia State Code §18.2-110.1, related to mail theft. The investigation now involves the U.S. Postal Service and law enforcement agencies in nearby jurisdictions.
Residents who believe they may be missing mail or packages are encouraged to contact the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Section at 540-965-1770, extension 106. The case remains under investigation.
