From staff reports

Lawrence County Sheriff Tim Sexton has issued an alert to citizens placing mail in their mailboxes for pickup by their mail carriers.

Recently, the sheriff's office received a report of mail being stolen from a rural mailbox on County Road 51 (Slab Fork Road). The only description of the suspect vehicle is that it was an older model red or burgundy car.

During the past two years, Sexton stated, his office has investigated several compliants involving rural mail theft. Investigators have found a suspect may use the information to steal the identity of a person.

To decrease the chance of rural mail theft, mail should be hand-delivered to U.S. Postal Service box or a post office.