Postal worker accused of shoplifting at Buc-ee’s also found with stolen mail, cops say

A postal worker accused of running a scheme to steal mail and traffic in stolen identities was discovered when police responded to a shoplifting call, Alabama authorities said.

Officers with the Leeds Police Department were called to a Buc-ee’s for a report of someone accused of stealing merchandise from the store Sept. 22, police said in an Oct. 1 news release.

They searched 39-year-old Amber Beard, and in addition to finding stolen items from Buc-ee’s, police said they also found a “multitude” of credit and debit cards and personal documents that belonged to other people.

Beard’s attorney information wasn’t available in Jefferson County jail records.

Officers said they also found what they believed to be stolen mail, at which point Beard told them she worked for the United States Postal Service, according to police.

This discovery led them to search her vehicle, where they “located a plethora of U.S. mail addressed to various individuals in the Birmingham area, including credit/debit cards, checks, gift cards and Alabama Driver’s Licenses,” police said.

Investigators learned that while on the job, Beard had been opening others’ mail and taking out items such as checks, gift cards and debit and credit cards, then using them herself, according to police.

Beard was charged with trafficking in stolen identities, five counts of illegal possession of a credit/debit card and fourth-degree theft of property. She was booked in the Jefferson County jail on a bond of $80,500, records show.

She may face additional charges as police search for more victims.

Leeds is part of the Birmingham metropolitan area.

This story was originally published October 2, 2024 at 8:56 AM with the headline "Postal worker accused of shoplifting at Buc-ee’s also found with stolen mail, cops say."