HARALSON COUNTY, Ga. — A months-long investigation involving several law enforcement agencies has led to the arrest of a suspect accused of stealing hundreds of pieces of mail and targeting thousands of potential victims across four west Georgia counties, including Paulding County, authorities said.
Investigators say Anthony Evans is facing multiple felony charges after deputies discovered a vehicle filled with stolen mail, credit cards, checks and tax documents tied to thefts reported across Haralson, Paulding, Carroll and Douglas counties.
Authorities believe the operation may have affected “multiple thousands” of victims, making it one of the largest recent mail theft investigations in the region.
Multi-Agency Investigation Leads to Arrest
The investigation began after a surge of complaints from residents reporting missing mail and opened mailboxes beginning in late 2025 and continuing into early 2026, according to the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office.
Residents and investigators identified a black rental vehicle seen driving slowly through neighborhoods and stopping near residential mailboxes. Surveillance footage and tips from the public helped authorities identify the suspect and track the vehicle.
Deputies later conducted a traffic stop and arrested Evans. Authorities said the vehicle contained hundreds of pieces of stolen mail, including financial documents and personal information belonging to residents across multiple counties.
Evans has been charged with theft by taking and possession of stolen mail, and investigators say additional charges could follow as the case develops.
Evidence Found in Vehicle and Nearby Area
During the investigation, deputies also discovered large amounts of discarded mail along Candy Kitchen Road in Haralson County.
Investigators said some stolen checks appeared to have been altered or prepared for fraud.
“You can see where this person had written their name, like they were trying to write themselves a check,” Sgt. Brent Duggans of the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office said while describing the evidence recovered during the investigation.
Authorities believe the stolen documents could have been used for identity theft, financial fraud or check-washing schemes, crimes that have surged nationwide in recent years.
Federal Postal Inspectors Now Involved
Recovered mail has been turned over to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the federal agency responsible for investigating crimes involving the U.S. mail system.
Officials say the process of documenting and returning the mail could take several weeks, as investigators must catalog each piece of evidence before contacting victims and delivering their mail.
Impact Across Multiple Communities
Authorities say the thefts were reported in neighborhoods across Haralson County and surrounding counties including Paulding, which includes cities such as Hiram and Dallas.
While investigators have not identified every victim, the scope of the case suggests the thefts may have affected thousands of residents whose personal or financial information was contained in the stolen mail.
Officials are urging residents who experienced missing mail or suspicious financial activity to report it to their local sheriff’s office or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as the investigation continues.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities say the case remains active as investigators work to determine whether the suspect acted alone or was connected to a larger mail theft operation.
Additional charges could be filed as detectives and federal investigators review the recovered documents and identify victims across the four counties involved.
