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PRICE, Carbon County — The phone at the Price Police Department has been pretty much ringing off the hook.
Police say it's all because of 21-year-old Dakota Pierucci, who worked at the Price Post Office and is now in jail on suspicion of stealing gift cards and money out of envelopes.
"I don't know if anger is the right word, but it makes me sad," said Capt. Bill Barnes of the Price Police Department.
On Wednesday, Barnes displayed roughly 50 stolen envelopes and cards. As of Friday, the number has quadrupled to about 200. Victims keep calling, saying their gift cards or cash never made it through the mail to their loved ones.
Police may never know how many victims there are.
"We've had a lot of citizens calling as victims we haven't yet identified," said Price Police Department detective Chris Pugliese.
After contacting several stores late Friday evening, Cabela's said they would replace the remaining value on a lost or stolen gift card when the original receipt is presented.
What can you do to protect yourself if you're sending a gift card through the mail? One tip is to save your receipt. If a card is lost or stolen, often the card number can be tracked by the receipt, then cancelled, with the monetary value put on a new card. Another tip is if you're sending a card is perhaps sending your card in a larger envelope or put the gift card in a regular looking envelope and send it separately.
Another tip is if you're sending a card is perhaps sending your card in a larger envelope.
But often, it's the sentimental value that is irreplaceable.
"Those personal communications have been looked at and stolen and interrupted," said Barnes. "They never got that, so people who were on the receiving end never got their sentiment from their loved ones."
Contributing: Xoel Cardenas
