http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0106mailcarrier.html

Postman accused of stealing mail, check

Lindsey Collom The Arizona Republic Jan. 6, 2006 12:00 AM

Authorities said a Phoenix postman was arrested when he attempted to cash a forged check stolen from a piece of mail on his route.

Phoenix police said Phillip Palma, 34, presented the forged check Wednesday at a check-cashing business. Police said he had altered his work badge to match the name on the check and tried to use the badge as identification.

A manager of the store at 15th Avenue and Broadway Road called 911 when he recognized Palma as the man who had cashed another forged check in November. Police arrested Palma on suspicion of forgery and identity theft.

Palma, whose mail route includes south Phoenix, has been suspended from work until an internal investigation is complete, Postal Inspector Renee Focht said. She would not comment on the investigation but said if "anybody is concerned, if they were expecting something and didn't get it, they should notify the Postal Inspection Service" at (602) 223-3660.

A total of 668 Postal Service employees were arrested for theft or embezzlement in 2003, according to the service's most recent figures. With more than 700,000 employees, the Postal Service is second to Wal-Mart as the largest employer in the United States.

Reach the reporter at lindsey.collom@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8557.