A Message From The Sheriff

Today is Tomorrow’s Past.

It seems like each day I hear a reference to, “how it used to be.” This is often said in a lamenting tone with a wishful sound of returning to, “the way it was.”

We consistently hear about “cutting edge,” “breaking news,” “next generation” and the list goes on. We wonder, “where the time went.” We plan nearly everything we do weeks in advance. We ask to be placed on each other’s schedule, “just to catch up.” The process of “finding time” gets more difficult with each “lost day.”

I invite all of us to look with pride on what we have accomplished in the past. We have a rich history of dedicated service. Be excited for today and give it your best. Seek new avenues, challenge yourself, enjoy the present. I am extremely encouraged for the future because of our successful past. Things can never be as they were if there is to be a tomorrow. Today is tomorrows past.

Postal Worker Out of Sorts

By Capt. Johnson

 It began in the usual manner. The complainant in Afton was missing two boxes of checks. By the time the investigation concluded, there were forty-two victims with 487 unauthorized credit transactions and check forgeries. The victims shared one thing in common, they all lived in the City of Afton.

 Upon learning of the fourth victim from Afton, who had a credit card or checks stolen, Sergeant Dave Karwoski, contacted the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office. What made the fourth victim unique was the credit card was stolen from a rented post office box instead of a rural mailbox.

Since rural mail carriers do not have access to post office boxes and the victims were all from Afton, suspicion was cast on the mail sorters, of which there were two in the Afton Post Office.  Through his contacts at the Retail Protection Association, Sergeant Karwoski was able to obtain security video of a female subject using the stolen checks. Since only one of the mail sorters was female, Sgt. Karwoski was able to focus that portion of his investigation on one person.

 Teaming up with the Postal Inspector’s Office allowed the use of sophisticated electronic surveillance equipment used to track mail. On November 19, 1999 Sgt. Karwoski and Postal Inspector Steven Crowe arrested Maria Lynn Burke. In Burke’s possession at the time of her arrest were stolen cash cards, credit cards and mail.

 The total loss to victims at this time is $63,687.57. Ms. Burke may be prosecuted federally. In addition to Maria Burke, her former husband, Steven Edward Burke was also using the stolen credit cards and checks. He, too, has been charged in this case.

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