Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office Detectives make arrests in mail and coin operated machine theft ring

CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (December 21, 2016)…Detectives with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office have arrested two people after a two-month investigation that resulted in the recovery of over $50,000 in reportedly stolen mail and money from coin operated machines.

Arrested are 48-year old Tracy Lloyd Lail and 46-year-old Michelle Lea Martin. Lail is charged with two counts Breaking and Entering to Coin Operated Machines and was jailed under $40,000 bond. Martin was charged with Obtaining Property by False Pretense and jailed under $15,000 bond. The coin operated machines refers to drink machines outside various convenience stores.

The investigation is continuing and more charges and arrests are expected.

“There is zero tolerance for these actions,” says Sheriff Alan Jones, Caldwell County. “If you’re going to steal from our citizens and our neighborhoods, then you better be prepared to face the consequences.”

During the months of November and December, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division were investigating numerous mail theft cases along with breaking and entering of coin operated machines in the Dudley, Oakhill and Boomer communities.

Based on the results of that investigation, Sheriff Officers executed a search warrant at 4000 Miracle Place Lot 12, in Hudson on December 12. Evidence found during the search led to the arrests of Lail and Martin.

Among items seized were pieces of mail from Alexander, Catawba, Burke and Caldwell Counties, bank information and checks amounting in the excess of $50,000. Also found were tools that can be used in the breaking and entering of the coin operated machines.

Members of the Criminal Investigation Division are hand delivering the mail back to their proper owners along with a written letter to monitor their credit scores and notify their local jurisdiction if they notice any charges that they did not make.