By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal
Law enforcement is actively searching for a vehicle of interest described as a gold 2002-2005 Ford Explorer driven by an African-American female person of interest with reddish highlights in her hair in connection with the robbery and shooting of a postal truck driver while on duty at the Hayneville Post Office on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Also, in addition to the $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible previously offered by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Central Alabama Crime Stoppers is offering $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and paid within 30 days of the arrest.
A vehicle and person of interest photo was released and the additional $1,000 reward was announced at a press conference led by U.S. Postal Inspector and Public Information Officer Yulanda N. Burns at the Hayneville Post Office on Thursday, Aug. 8.
According to Burns of the Atlanta Division, the shooting occurred between the hours of 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Aug. 1. “Anyone with information about this vehicle and person of interest is asked to call the U.S. Postal Service toll free at 1-877-876-2455, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-392-8011 for Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP.
Burns described the driver as “light-skinned to medium complexion.” She also said what is distinguished about the driver is that “she has black curly hair with red streaks or highlights going through her hair.”
“We are very appreciative of the local law enforcement in the community that has been assisting in this investigation,” Burns said. While she said the identity of the postal driver who was shot is being kept confidential for privacy reasons, she said, “He is recovering.”
Burns said the U.S. Postal Inspection Service takes this crime personally, “So, we will be here to investigate until those responsible are caught and brought to justice.”
She was accompanied at the press conference by Postal Inspectors including, Incident Commander Frank Dyer and Case Agent Jim Tynan of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Tony Garrett of Central Alabama Crime Stoppers and Deputy Vernessia Thicklin of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.
Garrett of Central Alabama Crime Stoppers said, a lot of time a caller knows they have to wait on a lot of these rewards until after a conviction, “and sometimes that doesn’t happen.” He said, “We give $1,000 on the arrest… within 30 days.”
He said the caller is given a code. He also said the only time a name is given is when the caller says they are willing to talk to the police and are willing to testify.