Woman accused of stealing Christmas presents from Tulsans' mail
BY DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
A woman who is suspected of stealing Christmas packages was arraigned in Tulsa federal court Tuesday on a possession of stolen mail charge.
Christa N. Gross, 33, is accused in a Jan. 11 indictment of having possessed mail that had been addressed to residents in the 1500 block of South Gary Avenue and the 1700 block of South Delaware Place.
However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles McLoughlin said that before her arrest on Dec. 10, Gross is suspected of taking an unknown number of items intended for residences between 11th and 21st streets from Delaware to Harvard avenues over an approximately 30-day period.
U.S. Postal inspectors had received complaints in late November and early December that various expected items, including merchandise intended as Christmas gifts, had not been received, McLoughlin said.
Some residents had seen a woman on a motorized scooter in the neighborhood during that time frame, possibly looking for packages that had been left for people who weren't home at the time deliveries were attempted, he said.
After Gross was arrested, various items such as jewelry, toys, clothing and electronics were found in the residence where she was staying at the time, McLoughlin said.
He said Gross is suspected of selling some of the items or trading them for methamphetamine.
Gross appeared voluntarily for her Tuesday afternoon court appearance but was booked into the Tulsa Jail afterward to await transport to the 12&12 substance abuse treatment center later in the week.
McLoughlin said the case illustrates that it is a good idea to have packages sent either to one's place of employment or to a Post Office box instead of having them left on one's doorstep.
Associated Images:
Christa N. Gross
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