Dalton Police Investigate Mail Theft at Post Office

Keyon Shakur Ponder

An investigation into the theft of mail from a Dalton post office has resulted in an arrest warrant for an Atlanta man, and investigators are now searching for other people who may have unwittingly fallen victim to the crime.

On May 6, two simple devices were found in the blue mailboxes outside the U.S. Post Office at 100 S. Thornton Ave. in Dalton. The devices were apparently designed to catch mail that was placed in the boxes so that the thief could easily pick it up later without the post office knowing. Postal workers discovered and removed the devices before noon and picked up the mail they had stolen.

The post office contacted Dalton police and launched an investigation, but later that month a victim came forward to report that they suspected their checks had been stolen from their mailbox that day because they had not reached their destination.

Investigators were able to determine that an Atlanta man, Keyon Shakur Ponder, 26, was responsible for placing the devices. Investigators have obtained arrest warrants against Ponder, charging him with trespassing, interference with government property and theft.

Dalton Police are still investigating this crime and are asking anyone who believes they may have had mail stolen to come forward. If you placed mail in the outside mailboxes at the U.S. Post Office on Thornton Avenue before noon on May 6 and it was lost or undelivered, contact Detective Brian Shirley at 706 278-9085, extension 9-189.