Postman caught with 27 mobile phones

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... ile_phones" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A POSTMAN who stole mobile phones sent in the mail was caught red-handed when his bosses saw him cutting open a parcel.

Ahmadjan Popalzay, 35, was put under surveillance by the Royal Mail after customers complained of missing post.

He was seen cutting into one package and checking others for their contents.

When he was confronted by investigators he agreed to be searched.

Two stolen mobile phones were found stashed in his clothing – and 25 more at his home on Linstead Drive, Cheetham, a court heard.

Popalzay pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and a further charge of opening a postal package in breach of his duty and without reasonable excuse when he appeared before Manchester magistrates.

All of the offences took place between June and September this year.

The court heard how a number of the packages were addressed to Envirofone – a mobile phone recycling company in Macclesfield, which offers people the chance to exchange their old handsets for cash.

Bosses, who suspected an employee was responsible for the items going missing, began monitoring the Royal Mail’s Manchester mail centre.

Popalzay, who had worked for the company for six years, was caught in September.

When he was quizzed about his actions, he admitted taking a number of phones over a two-month period but denied he had stolen them to make money.

Elizabeth Rigby, prosecuting, told the court that Popalzay had confessed to investigators when confronted and fully admitted his guilt.

She said: “When he was asked why he had committed the thefts, he stated simply that he liked mobile phones and he could not afford them.”

She explained that because the mobile phones were old models, it was impossible to put a value on them, but said it was likely they were worth ‘several hundred pounds’.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports and Popalzay was bailed to reappear before the court on Thursday, December 17.

Royal Mail declined to comment.

[not me]

6 years service for a few old phones

[Pat Ostman]

6 years service for a few old phones

I know, incredible isn't it. You'll always get caught, it's stealing off the public and you'll never be employed with trust again.

I'll never understand why people do it.

[robd]

'She explained that because the mobile phones were old models, it was impossible to put a value on them, but said it was likely they were worth ‘several hundred pounds’.

bloody hell,one mans junk and all that,if he needed the cash,he only had to ask,i'd of let him take me households.

[not me]

'She explained that because the mobile phones were old models, it was impossible to put a value on them, but said it was likely they were worth ‘several hundred pounds’.

bloody hell,one mans junk and all that,if he needed the cash,he only had to ask,i'd of let him take me households.

lol thats the attitude,im hoping to use folks D2D's to fund me through uni