(Cleveland) - A federal grand jury has returned a two-count indictment charging a Kirtland woman for her role in a group that stole mail in Lake County.
Corey Lauren Whalen, 18, is suspected of being the captain of a group of porch pirates.
Federal investigators accuse Whalen of driving around Lake County, and directing her siblings to steal packages and other mail from porches, driveways, and mailboxes.
Mike Tobin of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Cleveland said Whalen was looking for gift cards and anything of value, as packages arrived for the holidays.
Tobin said Whalen and her gang were operating around Painesville, Mentor, and Willoughby.
“People should be vigilant about collecting their mail and packages, particularly during the holidays,” Tobin told Newsradio WTAM 1100. “Customers are reminded not to send cash through the mail, use a secure mailbox and consider using security cameras.”
“This case was solved when a good neighbor called in, which is what it’s all about, and a lot of cooperation among law enforcement agencies,” said Lake County Sheriff Daniel Dunlap.
(Photos by Getty Images)
(c) 2017 iHeartMedia, Inc.