GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) – Two postal workers were arrested last week in a six-month phone theft operation, according to police.
Records showed 31-year-old DeSean Hardiman and 20-year-old Elijah Jefferies are facing multiple charges related to the investigation.
Hardiman is charged with ten felonies and Jefferies is charged with four felonies.
Both face charges of obtaining property by false pretenses, larceny by an employee, and conspiracy.
Police say the thefts reportedly happened over several months at a USPS warehouse on Scaleybark Road in Gastonia.
Police said the two men targeted packages containing cell phones, opened them during the delivery process, and stole the devices.
The pair was reportedly apprehended at work on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
According to officers, the duo sold the stolen phones through EcoATM kiosks across the city.
In total, deputies recovered more than 20 phones valued at over $18,000.
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