ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Residents who live in the Lake Eola area told Channel 9's Cuthbert Langley that their mail has either been delayed or not delivered at all.
Eyewitness News learned a mail carrier is off his route and an investigation is underway into allegations he took other people's mail, a spokesperson for the Postal Service Office of Inspector General confirmed.
“You don't realize how reliant you are until it's not working for you,” said resident Cassidy Higgins.
Higgins said around Christmas time she started to receive her neighbor’s mail, then for the next three weeks, she didn’t receive any mail.
Higgins told Eyewitness News that she estimates that as many as 25 of her neighbors didn’t receive mail.
“There's so much that's unknown. We know we missed Christmas cards. We know we missed some Christmas gifts. We know we missed some bank statements and some credit cards,” Higgins said.
Higgins said she asked her mail carrier about the missing mail, but she got no help. She said she called a local post office for help as well, but nothing was happening.
“Unfortunately, phones went unanswered. There was no voicemail and there is constant ringing,” Higgins said.
A different carrier delivered an official letter from the Office of Inspector General that told Higgins it was investigating allegations of theft of mail or willful delay, Higgins said.
A spokesperson confirms to Eyewitness News that a mail carrier is now on nonduty status pending an investigation.
“Probably the most frustrating part was just not being able to get ahold of anyone at the Postal Service to take it seriously,” Higgins said.
Higgins has since installed security cameras at her home to keep an eye on what’s happening in her neighborhood.
No charges have been filed against the mail carrier at this time.
To file a complaint with the Inspector General's Office, click here.
Cox Media Group
